HBCU veteran Loretta Martin joins XULA as assistant athletics director

NEW ORLEANS — Xavier University of Louisiana has hired Loretta Martin as assistant athletics director of gameday operations and community engagement. Martin’s first day at XULA was Monday (Aug. 1, 2022).

Martin joins XULA after 12 years at city and HBCU rival Dillard University. Martin was an assistant coach in women’s basketball and volleyball and assistant to longtime Athletic Director Dr. Kiki Baker Barnes.

Martin in 2019 earned one of DU’s most prestigious campus awards, the president’s all-star team.

“I am pleased and excited to have Loretta Martin join us at Xavier,” said Nathan Cochran, XULA executive director of athletics and recreation. “Loretta has plenty of valuable experience and connections from her many years at Dillard. She is a great addition to Xavier Athletics.”

Martin said she looks forward to promoting and stimulating interest in the department.

“One of the major goals is to get more Xavier students involved and engaged,” Martin said. “We want them to give a spark to the games and help Xavier enhance the gameday atmosphere. Another major goal is to better connect with Xavier and the community.”

Martin is a native of New Orleans and a 2010 graduate of Dillard. She played basketball for Dillard and at Copiah-Lincoln Community College of Wesson, Miss.

XULA is a longtime member of the NAIA and sponsors 14 intercollegiate teams. This is XULA’s second season as a member of the Red River Athletic Conference.