Florida Poly names Derek Lower school’s first Athletic Director

Florida Polytechnic University has named Derek Lower as its first Athletic Director, as the school prepares to debut its inaugural collegiate athletics program this Fall.

Florida Poly students will compete in eight sports in an effort to elevate student experience. As Athletic Director, Lower will oversee the launch of Florida Poly Athletics, which will initially include men’s and women’s soccer, men’s and women’s cross-country, men’s and women’s basketball, baseball, and softball.

“Starting an athletics program at a public university doesn’t happen often because they’ve all been established for a very long time, so this is a pretty unique opportunity,” said Lower, who joined Florida Poly in 2017 to help build its student recreation program. “I love this University and I’m proud to help shape another major part of its story.”

Lower earned his bachelor’s degree in sports management from the University of Florida and has worked to support the Gators’ track and field team. He also earned a master’s degree in educational leadership from the University of Central Florida.

Lower most recently served as Florida Poly’s Associate Director of Campus Recreation, where he oversaw the creation of club sports, intramural sports, fitness programs and aquatics serving students. He also managed all recreation facilities and Solaris, the university’s mascot.

“Derek knows what makes Florida Poly great and is building a program that reflects our values of innovation, determination and excellence,” said Bryan Brooks, vice president of student affairs, enrollment management and strategic communications. “With his leadership, our student athletes will set a new standard for success at a university where rigor in the classroom matches drive on the field.”

In the new role, Lower will guide the athletics program toward a successful first season, with his sights set on building a lasting legacy of excellence. Lower has already begun the process of hiring coaches and recruiting student athletes.

“As we hire and recruit, I think about who is going to represent Florida Poly in the best way while giving us the right foundation so we can grow into something special,” he said.

While Lower will target talented athletes, he’s also prioritizing academic success. The school consistently ranks among the nation’s top universities for academic excellence and career outcomes, with graduates earning among the highest salaries in Florida’s public university system.

Lower said many students now plan to attend Florida Poly because they can pursue both a challenging STEM degree and continue their athletic career.

“I firmly believe our students are going to be phenomenal members of the workforce and contribute a lot to our society, and adding the athletic factor brings the time commitment, grit and grind they’ll need to succeed,” he said. “That combination will make them even more exceptional when they graduate.”

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