SIU Associate Athletic Director of Facilities Andy Pettit announced last week he will step down from his current job to take a sales manager position with Timberline Fisheries in Marion.

Pettit said his family is the biggest motivator in the decision, even though he was not actively looking for a new job. 

“It’s a great opportunity for me to be closer to my 5-year-old and 2-year-old boys at home and have more quality time with them,” Pettit said. “It was just something that came up talking to some people I knew. And in the end, the compensation made sense as the hours would be better. It’s a brand new challenge for me to pursue.” 

Pettit has a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering and master’s degree in business administration from SIUC. As a student, he kept score at volleyball games and was an events coordinator during his graduate assistantship. He worked as the Director of Athletic Facilities from 2005 to August of 2012 before starting his most recent position in September of 2012.

Pettit said his job was not threatened by impending budget cuts.

“I have a 12 month rolling contract at SIU,” Pettit said. “I’m very fortunate with everything SIU has offered me.”

Ted Ward can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter @TedWard_DE.