Scott Byrd

A seasoned Division I leader with a track record of building programs, driving revenue growth and elevating the student-athlete experience, Scott Byrd was named as the department's 11th Director of Athletics on March 26, 2026.

Byrd comes to UNC Pembroke after severing as executive associate athletic director for external affairs at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, where he oversees all external operations, including marketing, strategic communications, ticketing, branding, multimedia rights and digital production.

During his tenure at Charlotte, Byrd has played a key role in the department's long-term growth, including helping launch the university's football program and guiding its transition to the Football Bowl Subdivision — the highest level of NCAA competition. He has also chaired multiple head coaching search committees and partnered on major initiatives tied to facilities, revenue generation and program development.

A member of the department's executive leadership team, Byrd also manages key areas within a $50 million Division I athletics budget and serves as sport administrator for men's basketball. He has helped establish new ticket revenue benchmarks while expanding fan engagement and strengthening the program's overall brand visibility.

Earlier in his career, Byrd served in compliance leadership roles at both North Carolina State University and Wake Forest University. He began his professional career working in financial aid at Central Piedmont Community College.