AUGUSTA, Ga – Augusta University Athletics has announced that Melissa Brocato will serve as Interim Athletic Director.

Brocato is the Assistant Athletic Director for Internal Affairs and has been the head softball coach since 1998. Brocato will continue her head coaching role as she fulfills the interim AD title.

"I am honored and humbled to be asked to serve in the role of interim AD," Brocato said. "As my fellow coaches and I strive to continue to build on our strong tradition of academic and athletic excellence, I hope to provide stability and consistency in this time of transition. I want to thank Dr. Brooks Keel for his leadership and for trusting me with the opportunity to guide our staff in the coming months. I also want to thank Clint Bryant for his many years of service to our university and for his valuable mentorship to me through the years. I am proud to be an Augusta University Jaguar and pray my efforts serve our university and department well." 

 Brocato is the winningest coach in the Jaguar softball program's history, having led the Jags to 561 wins in 24 seasons while producing an Academic All-American and an All-American along with 19 All-Region selections.

 A native of King, North Carolina, Brocato took over the Jaguar softball program in September 1998 after serving one year as the junior varsity coach for Campbell University. In addition to her coaching duties at Campbell, Brocato served as a graduate assistant for academic services, co-advisor of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, assistant camp director at the Conquest Christian Sports Camp and advisor for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes.

Brocato received her Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science from Campbell in 1996 and her M. Ed. in May 1998.

Brocato steps in for longtime athletic director, Clint Bryant, who announced he will retire from the university June 30. Augusta University is working on a national search for Bryant's replacement