AASU Athletic Director Dr. Eddie Aenchbacher Announces Retirement

SAVANNAH, Ga. - Athletic director Dr. Eddie Aenchbacher has announced his retirement, effective in April of 2009 from Armstrong Atlantic State University. The former Pirate student-athlete, head coach, associate professor and current administrator was instrumental in shepherding the AASU athletic department into its existing model as one of the premier NCAA Division II programs in the nation.

Aenchbacher has served as the Armstrong Atlantic State athletic director since the spring of 1996. During that time, the Pirates have experienced four NCAA Division II National Championships, several national finalists, the implementation of women's fastpitch softball, soccer and golf as varsity programs as well as the reinstatement of the men’s golf program. In his time as athletic director at AASU, the Pirates have captured 17 Peach Belt Conference titles, made 58 NCAA Championships appearances and 101 student-athletes have earned All-America honors. The Pirates also won the Peach Belt President’s Academic Award two out of the three years it has been awarded.

“Not to sound cliché but my time at Armstrong has gone by a lot faster than I thought possible,” Aenchbacher said. “From start to finish it has been extremely fulfilling and rewarding. The people at Armstrong that I have had the privilege of working with will always be one of my strongest memories.

“As a professor, coach, and administrator my goal was always to help mold young men and women into productive and prepared citizens while reflecting the best on our institution. The athletic program's changes and improvements over the past 15 years are a testament to the fine coaches and support staff that believed the same.”

Stepping away from the AASU athletic department this coming spring will culminate a career with the Pirates that spans four decades and started in the fall of 1975 where the Air Force veteran became an Armstrong State College student-athlete. Aenchbacher was a four-year letterman on the baseball team, co-captain and MVP his junior and senior years as a pitcher and was selected for the President's Cup Academic award his junior year. After receiving his bachelor’s degree in physical education in 1979, Aenchbacher pursued his advanced degrees at the University of Georgia, earning his master’s degree in 1980 and doctorate of education in 1990.

The Savannah native returned from UGA and was hired to start the Pirate men’s soccer program and coached from 1980-87, and later the head coach of the men’s and women’s cross country teams from 1990-95. He was promoted to associate athletic director in 1994-95 and then was named the interim athletic director in the spring of 1996. He became the fourth full-fledged athletic director in AASU history later that fall.

“Dr. Aenchbacher has provided outstanding leadership to Armstrong Atlantic’s athletic program,” University President Dr. Thomas Jones said. “Filling his shoes will be no easy task. He has been a part of the university’s fabric for many decades, serving as a scholar athlete, passionate coach and a dynamic and extremely successful athletic director.

“Because of his leadership and the support of our coaches, all of our athletic teams are very competitive and have a solid record of success. Our student-athletes are leaders and exemplary students. These are accomplishments for which Dr. Aenchbacher should be extremely proud.”

Aenchbacher leaves his position as the fourth-longest tenured athletic director among current Peach Belt Conference schools. In his time he has served on several NCAA committees as well as helping to bring the first NCAA National Championship ever to be decided in the Savannah and Coastal Empire area in 2005 when AASU hosted the 2005 NCAA Division II Men’s Golf Championships at the Westin Savannah Harbor Resort & Spa.

“Once we have had time to absorb this news, we will begin to evaluate our options for identifying a new athletic director,” Dr. Jones said. “Fortunately for us, Dr. Aenchbacher has provided us with ample notice so that we have plenty of time to pursue this difficult endeavor.”