Merrill joined Gardner-Webb in May of 2024 after 10 years at Lees-McRae College in Banner Elk, N.C., where he most recently served as Deputy Director of Athletics - Chief Compliance Officer.
Merrill was elevated to his current role at Lees McRae in 2022. In addition to oversight of the department’s compliance efforts, Merrill’s responsibilities included game administration at home competitions, managing the media room schedule, completing the annual NCAA reports, and monitoring the academic success of Lees-McRae’s 300+ student-athletes.
Merrill joined Lees-McRae in 2014 as the Director of Compliance and Title IX Coordinator. He was promoted to Assistant Athletic Director in 2018, a role he held until his most recent promotion, and has continued to serve as Title IX coordinator throughout his tenure. In 2019, Merrill became an adjunct professor in the school’s sport management program.
A member of the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA), and both the Early Intervention Team for Student Academic Success and the Staff Association Bylaw Committee at Lees-McRae, Merrill has participated in numerous workshops including the NCAA Leadership Development Program and the BB&T Leadership Development Program. Merrill also received the Edgar Tufts Humanitarian Award in 2021 and was presented with the Bridge Builder Award by Lees-McRae in 2015-16.
Merrill is a 2012 cum laude graduate of Belmont Abbey College in Belmont, N.C., with a bachelor's degree in sport management. He completed his master's degree in college athletic administration in 2017 from Coker College in Hartsville, S.C.
