University of Southern Mississippi Athletics
Lee Applewhite Promoted to Senior Associate Athletics Director for Development
4/2/2025 4:15:00 PM | General
HATTIESBURG, Miss. – Southern Miss Director of Athletics Jeremy McClain announced Wednesday the promotion of Lee Applewhite to Senior Associate Athletics Director for Development.
"We are excited to share the news of Lee's promotion to Senior Associate AD," said McClain. "He has been a huge part of our success over the past decade, and he is a key part of our future. Anyone who spends time with Lee knows how much he cares about Southern Miss and how hard he works to make everyone around him better."
Applewhite joined the Southern Miss Athletics staff in October of 2015 as Director of Development and rose through the ranks, becoming Assistant AD in 2019, before being elevated to Associate AD for Development in 2023.
Applewhite's responsibilities include major-gift fundraising, Circle of Champions membership, oversight of the courtesy car program and sports administrator for baseball. His duties with baseball include being the point-of-contact for all premium seating areas at baseball games, including the suites, Right Field Roost and Bullpen Club.
While working in the Eagle Club from 2015-2018, Applewhite increased Eagle Club membership by 40 percent and since working major gifts in 2019, he obtained 66 new Circle of Champion members.
Applewhite oversaw $8,250,000 in new donations via the Circle of Champions program, while he also has helped facilitate fund raising for several projects, including the Bower Academic Center and new additions to Pete Taylor Park this spring.
He has overseen the department's courtesy vehicle program for the last six years and has helped develop relationships with many businesses over the years that have helped the program with many in kind gifts.
Applewhite also began his role as baseball administrator with the start of the 2024 season overseeing the day-to-day operations for the sport, including game day operations.
"It has been a wonderful 10 years being a part of Southern Miss athletics and the great, hard-working individuals that we have in our department," said Applewhite. "I am extremely grateful to President Dr. Joe Paul and Director of Athletics Jeremy McClain for the confidence they have shown in me. It certainly has been a team effort of all the successes we have enjoyed in the development area."
He earned his degree in exercise physiology from Southern Miss in 2007. A native of Sumrall, Miss., he is married to Brittany Applewhite, and they have two children: Halee and Hayden.
"We are excited to share the news of Lee's promotion to Senior Associate AD," said McClain. "He has been a huge part of our success over the past decade, and he is a key part of our future. Anyone who spends time with Lee knows how much he cares about Southern Miss and how hard he works to make everyone around him better."
Applewhite joined the Southern Miss Athletics staff in October of 2015 as Director of Development and rose through the ranks, becoming Assistant AD in 2019, before being elevated to Associate AD for Development in 2023.
Applewhite's responsibilities include major-gift fundraising, Circle of Champions membership, oversight of the courtesy car program and sports administrator for baseball. His duties with baseball include being the point-of-contact for all premium seating areas at baseball games, including the suites, Right Field Roost and Bullpen Club.
While working in the Eagle Club from 2015-2018, Applewhite increased Eagle Club membership by 40 percent and since working major gifts in 2019, he obtained 66 new Circle of Champion members.
Applewhite oversaw $8,250,000 in new donations via the Circle of Champions program, while he also has helped facilitate fund raising for several projects, including the Bower Academic Center and new additions to Pete Taylor Park this spring.
He has overseen the department's courtesy vehicle program for the last six years and has helped develop relationships with many businesses over the years that have helped the program with many in kind gifts.
Applewhite also began his role as baseball administrator with the start of the 2024 season overseeing the day-to-day operations for the sport, including game day operations.
"It has been a wonderful 10 years being a part of Southern Miss athletics and the great, hard-working individuals that we have in our department," said Applewhite. "I am extremely grateful to President Dr. Joe Paul and Director of Athletics Jeremy McClain for the confidence they have shown in me. It certainly has been a team effort of all the successes we have enjoyed in the development area."
He earned his degree in exercise physiology from Southern Miss in 2007. A native of Sumrall, Miss., he is married to Brittany Applewhite, and they have two children: Halee and Hayden.
Missy Bilderback Preseason Press Conference - October 15, 2025
Wednesday, October 15
Jay Ladner Press Conference - October 15, 2025
Wednesday, October 15
Charles Huff Weekly Press Conference - The Louisiana Game
Tuesday, October 14
Charles Huff Weekly Press Conference - The Georgia Southern Game
Tuesday, October 07