Former McGavock and Trevecca basketball player Jon Burch will replace longtime Trojans athletic director Mark Elliott on July 1, 2027.
Elliott, who has led the school's athletic department for 16 years, announced his retirement in late July, effective at the end of the 2026-27 academic year.
Burch will become Trevecca's 14th athletic director. Trevecca president Dan Boone made the announcement Oct. 26.
Burch will work alongside Elliott to further develop his vision for the department until Elliott retires.
Burch has a long history at Trevecca. After graduating from McGavock, he played basketball for Trojans Hall of Fame coach Frank Wilson. Burch served in the Navy, then returned to Trevecca to complete his education, including a doctorate in education in 2003.
He has taught management and leadership at Trevecca for 26 years at the undergraduate, master’s and doctoral levels in the Skinner School of Business. Burch also serves as Trevecca's NCAA faculty athletics representative. He presently works with Elliott, the athletics leadership staff and the coaches to support student-athletes.
“Jon has loved Trevecca athletics from the time he was a student to where he is today, as the faculty athletics representative and a parent of one of our students,” Boone said in a statement. “His selection resolves any concern about finding someone who’s a good fit for Trevecca.”
MARK ELLIOTT RETIRING FROM TREVECCA: Trevecca athletic director Mark Elliott will retire in 2027
“Trevecca athletics has a strong foundation," Burch said. "Mark Elliott has intentionally anchored the department in the Christian-scholar-athlete philosophy. That philosophy excites me, and I fully embrace it. I appreciate Dr. Boone’s trust in me with this new opportunity. The quality of our coaches, staff, and leadership team already points to great days ahead for our student-athletes and everyone in the TNU and Nashville communities who loves Trojan athletics.”
“I am incredibly grateful that Jon has agreed to serve as our next athletics director,” Elliott said. “As a dedicated, long-term member of our university community, a professor of management and leadership, and our faculty athletics representative, he already commands deep respect from our coaching staff.”
Reach Mike Organ at 615-259-8021 or on X @MikeOrganWriter.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Former Trevecca basketball player Jon Burch named new Trojans AD