CLEVELAND, Miss. — Delta State Director of Athletics and Aquatics Ronnie Mayers announced Monday that he will retire at the end of 2018.

Mayers has been Delta State’s athletics director since 2013, and has been associated with the school for 48 years. The Natchez native previously served as the head coach of Delta State’s swim team, as well as in several other administrative roles.

The swimming program under Mayers’ leadership produced 56 individual All-Americans and 21 Academic All-Americans, and made 15 NCAA Division II National Championship appearances.

As athletics director, Mayers in 2014 helped spearhead a a campaign to install artificial turf at Parker Field-McCool Stadium. The $850,000 project was financed with private donations. He also led the drive to build a new baseball stadium, renovate the softball field, and expand and improve other facilities.

“This was the toughest decision I’ve ever had to make,” Mayers said in a statement. “Since I stepped on campus as a student, Delta State University has been home, and I have made service to her my life’s mission for the past 47 years. Spending time with my family is my number one reason for making this decision now, and I am hopeful to be able to continue to serve Delta State in my retirement for years to come.”