The University of South Carolina Aiken announced Jim Herlihy as the new Athletic Director, who will join the USC Aiken team May 1.
 
"I look forward to joining the USC Aiken campus and community, and I am ready to get to work with a talented group of coaches and administrators," he said. 
 
"I have experienced firsthand that USC Aiken is a special place with strong campus leadership and talented administrators. I have great admiration for the tradition and spirit of Pacer athletics and the success of the department athletically and academically. 
 
"I have great respect for the work done by my colleague Randy Warrick on behalf of the University."
 
With more than 25 years of experience in athletic administration – including nine years as a NCAA Division II Director of Athletics and 12 years on a Division II campus – Herlihy brings a unique skill set; a strong experience base, which includes affiliation with the Peach Belt Conference; and dedicated passion for ensuring the success of student-athletes.
 
"We are pleased to welcome Jim to Pacer Athletics and are excited about the vision he has for our athletic program and sports teams," said Dr. Sandra Jordan, chancellor.
 
Herlihy joins USC Aiken athletics most recently from the University of Massachusetts where he was the Senior Associate Athletics Director for Administration and Finance. He had previously served as the Director of Athletics at Auburn University at Montgomery, Saint Anselm College and at the University of Montevallo, a fellow Peach Belt Conference member. 

Additionally, he brings to USC Aiken experience and expertise from professional baseball. Herlihy has served as the Assistant General Manager of the Class AAA minor league Nashville Sounds, as the Director of Florida Operations and General Manager of the Class A minor league affiliate with the Texas Rangers and as the Assistant Director, Spring Training Operations and General Manager of the Class A minor league affiliate for the Philadelphia Phillies. He began his baseball career as a Marketing Manager with the Phillies.
 
A graduate of Plymouth State University with a Bachelor of Science in Physical Education, Herlihy earned a Master of Science in Sports Management at the University of Alabama.  He also completed the Sports Management Institute, a post-graduate executive education program sponsored by the University of Notre Dame and the University of Georgia.
 
In addition, he has served within the NCAA governance structure in myriad capacities. 
 
"This is a wonderful day for Pacer fans. Jim's experience and leadership in intercollegiate athletics is unmatched, and we are delighted that he is going to bring his talents, energy and passion for working with student-athletes to USC Aiken," said Jordan.  
 
"I am confident Jim will continue to strengthen USC Aiken's reputation in the Peach Belt and throughout the NCAA, and I look forward to watching his strategic vision for athletics become reality.   In his own words, Jim plans to continue the 'upward trajectory' USC Aiken has enjoyed under Randy Warrick's leadership by applying his knowledge of industry standards and best practices, including budgets, compliance, sports supervision and fundraising."
 
Warrick retires as of June 1 after 39 years at USC Aiken.