Kris Sears was named associate athletics director for strategic communications at Longwood in August. He begins his first season with the Lancers in 2026-27.
Sears comes to Longwood with more than two decades of experience in athletics communications, brand management and media relations.
Sears joins the Lancers after spending the past 20 years at William & Mary, where he most recently served as assistant athletic director for media relations. During his time, he led the department's communications staff, directed strategic messaging and brand initiatives, managed digital content strategy and oversaw media relations for a wide range of sports, including the Tribe’s nationally recognized men’s basketball program.
“We're excited to welcome Kris to Longwood,” deputy athletics director for external operations Austin Shaver said. “Throughout the search process, it was clear that he understands where college athletics communications is headed and has the experience to lead us there. He has built and led successful communications operations and understands how to tell the stories that define Longwood athletics and connect with our fans, alumni and the broader university community. Just as importantly, Kris is committed to developing students and building strong relationships across campus. His vision and leadership will play a major role in continuing to elevate Longwood athletics."
In his role, Sears will oversee Longwood's strategic communications efforts, including media relations, storytelling, digital content, branding initiatives and communications strategy for the department's 16 NCAA Division I programs.
“I am humbled, honored and excited to join Longwood athletics,” said Sears. "The more I learned about university and department and the more people I spoke with, it was obvious Longwood is a special place with a wonderful community. I am incredibly grateful to Austin Shaver and [vice president for intercollegiate athletics] Tim Hall for this opportunity and for the confidence in me to positively impact the department, our programs and our student-athletes. My wife, Brindley, and I can't wait to join the Farmville community.”
While at William & Mary, Sears guided a team of full-time staff members and student workers while helping shape the department's external communications strategy. He led a comprehensive athletics rebrand, directed content strategy across digital and social platforms, managed multiple website redesigns and coordinated communications for major institutional announcements and campaigns. He also oversaw production of numerous print and digital publications and managed communications operations for approximately 100 athletic events annually.
Prior to William & Mary, Sears spent five years at Indiana, where he served in several athletic communications roles supporting all 24 varsity sports. As the primary media contact for nationally ranked men's soccer, he directed the public relations campaign that helped Danny O'Rourke earn the 2004 MAC Hermann Trophy as the nation's top collegiate player. Sears also worked extensively with Indiana men's basketball and earned seven College Sports Information Directors of America (now College Sports Communicators) Citations of Excellence for publication design and content, along with a CoSIDA Postgraduate Scholarship.
Sears earned both a Master of Science in kinesiology with an emphasis in sport management and athletic administration and a Bachelor of Science in kinesiology with an emphasis in sport marketing and management from Indiana.
