Richard Flight, the former director of team operations for the Birmingham Barons and a graduate of Samford University, was named as assistant athletics director at Samford in an announcement Tuesday by director of athletics Bob Roller.

Flight returns to Samford after serving as Director of Promotions for the Class Triple-A Memphis Redbirds in the St. Louis Cardinals' farm system. Prior to his tenure with the Redbirds, Flight was director of team operations for four seasons with the Birmingham Barons.

"It's great being able to come back to the university," Flight said. "What's real exciting is the re-invigorating in the athletic department under Bob Roller. The future in the athletic department is bright and I'm looking forward to being a part of it."

A 1993 Samford graduate with a degree in business management, Flight worked as an athletic department facility manager at the university while also serving as men's basketball equipment manager from 1989-91.

Flight is married to the former Donna Kern, a 1992 Samford graduate, and they are the parents of a 15-month old daughter, Maegan.