CAMPBELLSVILLE, Ky. – Campbellsville University has named one of its own to lead its athletic department. It officially appointed Adam Preston, a distinguished alumnus and the highly successful head men’s soccer coach, as the new Director of Athletics, effective for the 2025-26 academic year.
Preston, a 2003 graduate who dedicated 22 seasons to the University as a coach, steps into the role after a decorated career on the sidelines that established Campbellsville as a consistent national performer. His deep roots in the community, proven leadership, and unwavering commitment to student-athlete success make him the ideal choice to guide the future of Tiger and Lady Tiger athletics.
“Campbellsville University’s national presence and influence in athletics is a building legacy, so we conducted a national search to identify the best leader for the coming decades,” said Campbellsville University President Dr. Joe Hopkins. “In the end, we concluded that the right talent was here on our campus.”
Dr. Hopkins continued, “Adam Preston is a man of integrity and passion who will lead CU athletics to a new level of excellence while focusing on the development of servant leaders for tomorrow’s communities. He possesses a championship character and will guide us toward winning programs that align with our mission to be Christ-centered. Coach Preston has grown a winning men’s soccer program that attracts students from around the globe. The secret of his success is not his passion for the game but his love for our players. I am excited to see him bring that same devotion to all our student-athletes.”
“I am both humbled and honored to take on the challenge as the next Athletic Director at Campbellsville University,” Preston stated. “God’s calling has been clear throughout this process and we will faithfully seek His vision. We have fantastic coaches here at CU and I will work diligently to empower them for success on and off the field while also providing an outstanding experience for our student-athletes. I am grateful for the trust the administration has placed in me to lead and I am excited about this next chapter in Campbellsville University Athletics.”
His peers have consistently recognized his leadership. Preston is a four-time Mid-South Conference Coach of the Year (2006, 2008, 2015, 2016) and was named NSCAA/NAIA Region Coach of the Year in 2016. That same year, he led the Tigers to their best season in program history, winning both the Mid-South Conference regular season and tournament titles and setting a remarkable 36-game unbeaten streak. He guided the program to its first NAIA National Tournament appearances in 2015 and 2016 and has been a constant presence in the NCCAA National Tournament, winning the title in 2021. That year, Preston earned NCCAA Coach of the Year. He was also the NISOA Frank Jewell Award Recipient, an award given annually to an NCCAA Coach whose reputation is recognized by soccer officials as praiseworthy and reflective of the highest standards of professional and ethical behavior.
“Adam has a passion for excellence and a proven track record of servant leadership,” Dr. Benji Kelly, Vice President for Development, shared. “He will be instrumental in shaping the future of our outstanding athletic programs and inspiring the next generation of student-athletes.”
Throughout his career, Preston has mentored 50 All-Americans, 141 All-Conference performers, and three Mid-South Conference Players of the Year, including the 2021 USCA NCCAA Player of the Year, Tom Edge.
A native of Paducah, Kentucky, Preston’s connection to Campbellsville began as a standout player for the Tigers, where he was a four-year starter and two-time team captain. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Marketing (2003) and his Master of Business Administration (2007) from the University.
Beyond the soccer pitch, Preston has been an integral part of the Campbellsville University faculty, serving as a Human Performance Professor and an Academic Clerk within the Master of Science in Information Technology Management program.
He resides in Campbellsville with his wife, Brittany, and their two children, Avery and Will.
(Sheldon Dossett – Director of Sports Information)