South Alabama celebrates retiring Athletic Director Dr. Joel Erdmann at Hancock Whitney Stadium

MOBILE, Ala. (WALA) - The University of South Alabama community gathered at Hancock Whitney Stadium on Wednesday night to celebrate the career and legacy of retiring Athletic Director Dr. Joel Erdmann.

Friends, coaches, former student-athletes and supporters came together to honor Erdmann, who announced his retirement in early April after serving 17 years as South Alabama’s athletic director.

Erdmann helped oversee one of the most transformational eras in Jaguar Athletics history. During his tenure, South Alabama won 41 Sun Belt Conference championships and made 52 NCAA postseason appearances. He also played a major role in more than $100 million in facility projects, including the construction of Hancock Whitney Stadium and the Jaguar Training Center.

Erdmann became South Alabama’s athletic director in 2009, just one month before Jaguar football kicked off its inaugural season. Over the years, he helped grow the university’s athletic profile both on and off the field while also emphasizing academic success across the department.

He will officially retire on May 31.

South Alabama President Jo Bonner has appointed Deputy Athletic Director Dr. Daniel McCarthy to serve as the university’s interim athletic director.