BOONE, N.C. – Appalachian State has named football alum Pierre Banks the Director of Student-Athlete Development, Senior Associate Athletic Director Brittney Whiteside announced on Wednesday.
Banks will directly oversee the development and implementation of The Mountaineer R.I.S.E programs designed to enhance the academic, athletic, social, personal, and professional development of Appalachian student-athletes. In addition to these duties Banks will continue as the color commentator for football broadcasts on the Appalachian Sports Network, and will take on an expanded role within Strategic Communications.
"We are excited to welcome Pierre and Melody back to Appalachian State University," Whiteside said Wednesday. Pierre will play an important role in the development of our student-athletes on and off the playing fields. He brings a wealth experience in both collegiate athletics and sports media to our department. In addition, as a former student-athlete, Pierre understands what it means to be a Mountaineer."
Banks comes to Appalachian State with more than eight years of experience in collegiate athletics. He began his career at Appalachian State working as an academic advisor for athletes in the learning assistance program. He then went on to work at The Ohio State University in various roles as an Assistant Learning Specialist, Assistant Counselor for Student-Athlete Support Services, and an Academic Advisor. Most recently Banks has served as the Assistant Director of the Academic Enrichment Center at The University of South Carolina where he oversaw the academic support for the football program. In addition to his experience in athletics, Banks also has diverse experience working in broadcast operations and sports media.
Banks holds both a bachelor's degree in communication and a master's in educational media from Appalachian, where he also worked as an adjunct professor after graduating.
A former Mountaineer standout on the gridiron for the Mountaineers, Banks is a three-time National Champion, four-time Southern Conference Champion, two-time All-American, and three-time All-Southern Conference selection. He played in an NCAA all-divisions record 62 games from 2004-08. He played in three games as a true freshman before suffering an injury and receiving a medical redshirt. He went on to play in each of the Mountaineers' 59 games from 2005-08. In 2006, Banks led the team with 110 total tackles and ranks eighth in program history with 373 total tackles for his career. He was also a National Academic All-Star and Draddy Award semifinalist.
Banks is married to Mrs. Melody Banks who received her master's degree in Political Science from Appalachian in 2011.
