ALEXANDRIA, La. - After five years of leadership, Louisiana State University of Alexandria Assistant Vice Chancellor and Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Tyler Unsicker has announced his resignation to accept a new opportunity at Texas A&M International University, an NCAA Division II institution.

Unsicker joined LSUA in September 2021 and helped lead the Department of Athletics through a period of sustained competitive, academic, financial and facilities growth.

"Tyler came to LSUA at a time when Athletics was ready for its next chapter, and he helped move the program into a more competitive and sustainable era," said LSUA Chancellor Elizabeth Beard, Ph.D. "He brought a 'yes, we can' mindset to the work, hired seven new coaches in five years, expanded our athletic facilities, and strengthened the financial foundation of the department. But what has always impressed me most about Tyler is that, even while thinking big, he never lost sight of the people at the heart of the work. He knows our student-athletes by name, celebrates their successes, and cares deeply about their experience at LSUA. LSUA Athletics is in a stronger position today because of his leadership, and we are grateful for his service."

"For the last five years, my family and I have had the privilege of calling LSUA home," Unsicker said. "I am incredibly grateful for our student-athletes, coaches and staff who have made these years so meaningful and rewarding."

During Unsicker's tenure, LSUA teams made 17 national postseason appearances and won eight conference championships. The men's basketball program reached the NAIA Round of Eight during the 2024-25 season, while the women's tennis team advanced to the NAIA semifinals in 2022.

LSUA student-athletes and coaches also earned significant individual recognition during that period, including 16 NAIA All-America honors, six conference player of the year awards, seven conference coach of the year awards, one NAIA coach of the year award and one NAIA national player of the year honor.

Academic achievement also remained a priority. Unsicker established the Student-Athlete Academic Success Center in 2022 to provide additional resources and support for student-athletes in the classroom. LSUA Athletics has posted a cumulative GPA of 3.00 or higher for four consecutive years, including a 3.32 GPA during the 2025-26 academic year. In 2023-24, LSUA earned its first Barnes & Noble College Red River Athletic Conference GPA Award as the conference's top-performing athletics program academically.

Two LSUA student-athletes were also recognized with the Red River Athletic Conference Etier Character Athlete of the Year Award during Unsicker's tenure.

LSUA Athletics experienced significant facilities growth under Unsicker's leadership. In 2023, the university opened The Outpost, a 6,000-square-foot indoor practice facility created in the former LSUA swimming pool space. The LSUA Soccer Pitch received upgrades in 2024, including netting behind both goals, covered team dugouts and a covered press box.

Additional improvements have included a new press box, LED stadium lighting and storage space at the baseball field. This fall, LSUA broke ground on a new baseball and softball field house that will include locker rooms, coaches' offices and meeting space. The LSUA Tennis Complex also broke ground on two additional tennis courts and six pickleball courts.

Fundraising and external support for Athletics also grew during Unsicker's tenure. Generals Athletic Association fundraising more than doubled over the past five years, while a growing corporate sponsorship program provided additional resources for recruiting and operational needs. Unsicker worked closely with the Generals Athletic Association to increase scholarship support and invest in facility improvements across LSUA's seven athletics programs.

In addition to his work at LSUA, Unsicker served for the past two years on the NAIA Athletic Directors Association Board of Directors.

LSUA will conduct a national search for its next director of intercollegiate athletics.