Kummer Named Executive Director Of The Mercer Athletic Foundation
9/10/2026 6:16:00 PM | Athletics Department
MACON – Athletics department officials from Mercer University announced Thursday afternoon that Bobby Kummer, a 30-year veteran of collegiate athletics, has been named Executive Director of the Mercer Athletic Foundation.
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Kummer, who was a member of the Mercer men's basketball coaching staff from 2019-24, has served the past two years as executive director of Athletic Advancement at Middle Georgia State University. He will lead the fundraising efforts in support of Mercer's 18 varsity athletics programs.
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"Bobby brings a tremendous combination of experience, relationships and a proven ability to generate support for collegiate athletics," said Director of Athletics Brian Gerrity. "He understands Mercer, knows what makes this community special and has demonstrated his ability to build meaningful relationships with donors, alumni and corporate partners. As we look to the future of Mercer Athletics, growing financial support will be critical to providing our scholar-athletes and coaches with the resources they need to compete at the highest level. We are excited to welcome Bobby back to Mercer and have him leading those efforts."
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Kummer assumed his philanthropic role at Middle Georgia State prior to the 2024-25 academic year, supporting the university's advancement initiatives and helping guide the athletics department through its transition to NCAA Division II membership and the Peach Belt Conference. While overseeing unprecedented growth in donor support and engagement, he launched the Knights Athletic Association and surpassed inaugural membership goals by a remarkable margin, attracting 345 members and creating a stronger culture of athletic support throughout the institution.
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Under Kummer's direction, athletic golf tournament revenues increased substantially in consecutive years, reaching more than $95,000 while sponsorship participation and gift-in-kind support also grew. He secured first-time sponsorship agreements with national hospitality and restaurant brands, while also expanding relationships with local businesses and community partners which has positioned Knights Athletics for sustained growth and long-term success.
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"I am thrilled to return to Mercer University as the Executive Director of the Mercer Athletic Foundation," Kummer said. "Mercer has always held a special place in my heart, and I'm excited to work alongside the outstanding teams in Athletics and Advancement as Mercer Athletics begins a new era under Brian Gerrity's leadership. I am grateful to President Penny Elkins, Senior Vice President for University Advancement John Patterson and Brian for this incredible opportunity. It's a great time to be a Bear and I'm proud to be back in the Orange and Black. Go Bears!"
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Before moving into athletics administration, Kummer enjoyed a successful 28-year career as a basketball coach at five collegiate institutions, including five seasons (2019-24) as an assistant on former head coach Greg Gary's staff at Mercer. During his tenure, he was voted the top assistant coach in the Southern Conference by his peers. The Bears amassed more than 80 victories with Kummer on the sidelines, highlighted by an 18-win campaign in 2020-21 that culminated with a trip to the Southern Conference championship game.
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Kummer began his coaching career as an assistant at his alma mater, serving two seasons (1996-98) under then-head coach Melvin Watkins at UNC Charlotte before joining Texas A&M for six seasons (1998-2004). Kummer returned to UNC Charlotte prior to the 2004-05 campaign. His time in Charlotte was followed by stints as associate head coach at Appalachian State (2010-14) and Lamar (2014-19) prior to making the move to Macon. Throughout his coaching career, he contributed to 425 victories and seven postseason tournaments, including three trips to the NCAA tournament.
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A two-time team captain, Kummer helped guide UNC Charlotte to the 1995 Metro Conference title as well as a trip to the 1995 NCAA Tournament. He played in all 114 games of his collegiate career, making 63 starts with the 49ers.
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A native of Livonia, Mich., Kummer graduated cum laude from UNC Charlotte in 1996 with a bachelor's degree in history. His wife, Nicole, currently serves as the director of development for the Mercer University School of Medicine.
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Kummer, who was a member of the Mercer men's basketball coaching staff from 2019-24, has served the past two years as executive director of Athletic Advancement at Middle Georgia State University. He will lead the fundraising efforts in support of Mercer's 18 varsity athletics programs.
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"Bobby brings a tremendous combination of experience, relationships and a proven ability to generate support for collegiate athletics," said Director of Athletics Brian Gerrity. "He understands Mercer, knows what makes this community special and has demonstrated his ability to build meaningful relationships with donors, alumni and corporate partners. As we look to the future of Mercer Athletics, growing financial support will be critical to providing our scholar-athletes and coaches with the resources they need to compete at the highest level. We are excited to welcome Bobby back to Mercer and have him leading those efforts."
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Kummer assumed his philanthropic role at Middle Georgia State prior to the 2024-25 academic year, supporting the university's advancement initiatives and helping guide the athletics department through its transition to NCAA Division II membership and the Peach Belt Conference. While overseeing unprecedented growth in donor support and engagement, he launched the Knights Athletic Association and surpassed inaugural membership goals by a remarkable margin, attracting 345 members and creating a stronger culture of athletic support throughout the institution.
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Under Kummer's direction, athletic golf tournament revenues increased substantially in consecutive years, reaching more than $95,000 while sponsorship participation and gift-in-kind support also grew. He secured first-time sponsorship agreements with national hospitality and restaurant brands, while also expanding relationships with local businesses and community partners which has positioned Knights Athletics for sustained growth and long-term success.
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"I am thrilled to return to Mercer University as the Executive Director of the Mercer Athletic Foundation," Kummer said. "Mercer has always held a special place in my heart, and I'm excited to work alongside the outstanding teams in Athletics and Advancement as Mercer Athletics begins a new era under Brian Gerrity's leadership. I am grateful to President Penny Elkins, Senior Vice President for University Advancement John Patterson and Brian for this incredible opportunity. It's a great time to be a Bear and I'm proud to be back in the Orange and Black. Go Bears!"
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Before moving into athletics administration, Kummer enjoyed a successful 28-year career as a basketball coach at five collegiate institutions, including five seasons (2019-24) as an assistant on former head coach Greg Gary's staff at Mercer. During his tenure, he was voted the top assistant coach in the Southern Conference by his peers. The Bears amassed more than 80 victories with Kummer on the sidelines, highlighted by an 18-win campaign in 2020-21 that culminated with a trip to the Southern Conference championship game.
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Kummer began his coaching career as an assistant at his alma mater, serving two seasons (1996-98) under then-head coach Melvin Watkins at UNC Charlotte before joining Texas A&M for six seasons (1998-2004). Kummer returned to UNC Charlotte prior to the 2004-05 campaign. His time in Charlotte was followed by stints as associate head coach at Appalachian State (2010-14) and Lamar (2014-19) prior to making the move to Macon. Throughout his coaching career, he contributed to 425 victories and seven postseason tournaments, including three trips to the NCAA tournament.
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A two-time team captain, Kummer helped guide UNC Charlotte to the 1995 Metro Conference title as well as a trip to the 1995 NCAA Tournament. He played in all 114 games of his collegiate career, making 63 starts with the 49ers.
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A native of Livonia, Mich., Kummer graduated cum laude from UNC Charlotte in 1996 with a bachelor's degree in history. His wife, Nicole, currently serves as the director of development for the Mercer University School of Medicine.
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