ST. DAVIDS, Pa. — In making public what was shared with University Administration and Athletic Staff late in May, Eric McNelley announced that he and his family will be moving to the Atlanta area and that he is stepping away from his role as Athletic Director. In seven years under his leadership, Eastern's Athletic Department has seen massive growth and development even in the face of many challenges.

The following is the letter he shared with the entire campus community.

After deep prayer and reflection, my family and I have decided that it's time for me to step down as Director of Athletics at Eastern University. This decision comes as I fully support my wife in her incredible new role as President of MarketSource in Georgia.

While this transition brings change, it's one I embrace with peace and confidence—because it's grounded in love for my family, trust in God's timing, and a commitment to doing what's right for Eastern. While we have seen great growth over the past few years even with a non-traditional commute, the added distance and family responsibilities would make it impossible for me to continue to serve our student-athletes and coaches.

Serving at Eastern for the past 11 years has been one of the greatest joys of my life. I'll forever be grateful for the opportunity to walk alongside so many passionate coaches, students, and colleagues in a mission that's bigger than sports.

When I first arrived in 2015 to coach men's basketball, we had one playoff appearance in over two decades. Watching our program rise to tie for first in the MAC Freedom in just our second season, make three straight postseason appearances, and ultimately win our first MAC Championship under my friend and assistant, Coach Dan Pruessner —those moments will be cherished.

As Athletic Director over the past seven years, I've witnessed transformation beyond anything I could've imagined. From new locker rooms and facility upgrades to launching football, wrestling, esports, cheer and dance, and so much more—what we've built together has been extraordinary. Growing from 280 to over 700 student-athletes reflects more than numbers—it speaks to vision, trust, and relentless teamwork.

But above all the accomplishments, I'm most proud that Eastern Athletics never lost sight of who we are—a Christ-centered community, rooted in Faith, Reason, and Justice. That mission has shaped every decision, every celebration, and every challenge. And it will continue to guide this department in powerful ways moving forward.

Thank you for the honor of serving. Thank you for the memories. And thank you for letting me be part of this incredible story at Eastern University.

With heartfelt gratitude,
Eric

McNelley first arrived at Eastern as an Assistant Men's Basketball Coach in 2014-15. He took on Athletic Director duties for the 2018-19 Academic Year as he completed his fourth and final season as Eastern's Head Men's Basketball Coach. He brought diverse experience as a coach and as a High School Athletic Director. In his final three seasons leading Eastern Men's Basketball, the Eagles won 46 games and the Eagles returned to the MAC Freedom Tournament.

In his first year as Athletic Director, Eastern had just over 300 athletes competing in 21 sports. Over the past seven years, Eastern Athletics has added opportunities for students in Esports, Cheer and Dance, Marching Band, Flag Football, and Football, and this next year will see both Men's and Women's Wrestling. The addition of these programs and support of existing programs led to increased undergraduate enrollment and stability. 

Beyond merely adding opportunities, McNelley and University leadership have sought to support student-athletes with full-time coaches and facility upgrades. As a result of his leadership, Eastern Athletics is well-positioned going forward.

On the facilities front, McNelley oversaw several projects. His first project was recreating the softball field in the middle of campus. This project flipped the direction of the field and the direction of the softball program. With it's beautiful field facing northwest, Eastern's softball team has seen its win totals increase in each of the last five seasons.

During COVID, Eastern overhauled its indoor competition space. The massive upgrades to the current gymnasium included a video board, new lights and bleachers. Subsequent upgrades have expanded athletic training and locker room areas.

The addition of Football brought on another massive facilities project at Valley Forge. Working with the Military Academy, McNelley oversaw the building of a new field with bleachers and press boxes, resurfacing a track, revamping outdated locker room spaces, and a completely transforming a weight room space.

Throughout this past year, the baseball field has been under construction. That major project is transforming the low-lying grass field affectionately known as The Yard into a stunning center-piece of the University's Athletic Complex. Located right in the middle of campus, the new turf field is raised up several feet for drainage and includes a video board, new dugouts and bullpens, and bleachers.

In his seven years as Athletic Director, McNelley has worked closely with University Leadership to execute a plan that has helped Eastern's undergraduate population to continue to grow. While it was not mentioned in his hiring release, the addition of Football was at the center of that plan.

Even as the world of NCAA sports was still trying to figure out returning to competition, Eastern announced Football in September of 2021. The Eagles played a JV season in 2022, and competed in the MAC in 2023. Eastern Football played its home games at Franklin Field in 2023 and won two league games. This past fall, Eastern Football finished with five league wins in a tie for third in the MAC standings.

With the addition of Football, Eastern added Cheer and Dance as well as a Marching Band. Growth in those programs and the department as a whole have enabled McNelley to increase staff and budgets in Academic Suppprt, Sports Medicine, Athletic Communications, Strength and Conditioning, and facilities and equipment.

This coming fall, Eastern will welcome more than 300 new student-athletes to campus.