TYLER, Texas -- UT Tyler has hired Ryan Shumaker to serve as the Sports Information Director beginning Feb. 1, Director of Athletics Dr. Howard Patterson announced.
 
Shumaker joins Patriot Athletics after spending the past three years at Eastern New Mexico University, which also competes in the Lone Star Conference.
 
"We are glad to welcome Ryan to Tyler and to Patriot Athletics," Patterson said. "Ryan comes to us with an array of experiences and skills. He is jumping into the fire with nearly every sport competing this spring, but he has the skills and personality to handle it all in stride. Welcome to Patriot Athletics, Ryan."
 
Shumaker has familiarity with both the Lone Star Conference and the East Texas region. He began his third year at Eastern New Mexico University this past fall, where was promoted in the summer of 2019 to Assistant Athletic Director for Marketing, Events, and Sports Information after his first year as Sports Information Director.
 
"I have had a long-standing respect for the University of Texas at Tyler athletic department and the program Dr. Patterson has built, and I cannot thank him and the search committee enough," Shumaker said. "The opportunity to help promote the current and future success of the program as it finishes up the transition into the Division II level and beyond is truly special to me. I cannot thank enough the individuals at Eastern New Mexico and Northwestern Oklahoma State who have helped me get to this point, and I will continue to cherish those relationships I have built along the way as I take this next step in my career. The ability to move closer to home and to an area I am familiar with is a blessing, and I cannot wait to hit the ground running and be a part of the success of UT Tyler."
 
At ENMU, Shumaker was instrumental in the growth of the department's social media outreach, with the department Twitter account recording 2.9 million impressions during the 2018-19 athletic year for a 123 percent increase from the previous year. The ENMU Athletics Facebook page also produced a 14 percent increase in followers compared to 8 percent growth the year before his arrival. He also was involved in the planning and event operations when Eastern New Mexico hosted the 2019 Lone Star Conference Outdoor Track & Field Championships.
 
Prior to Eastern New Mexico, Shumaker spent two years as the graduate assistant for athletic communications as well as serving as the assistant men's and women's golf coach at his alma mater, Northwestern Oklahoma State University.
 
A native of Denison, Texas, Shumaker attended Paris Junior College before completing his undergraduate studies with a Bachelor of Science in Health and Sports Science at Northwestern Oklahoma State University. He also completed his Master of Education degree in adult management from NWOSU in 2018.
 
Shumaker replaces Joe Reinsch, who resigned from the position to pursue other career opportunities outside college athletics.
 
"We are grateful for the time Joe spent with Patriot Athletics and the many contributions he made to promote and recognize our amazing student-athletes," Patterson said.
"He was liked and respected by all he worked with and we wish him all the best."
 
Shumaker's time at UT Tyler begins with a busy spring season, as UT Tyler's fall sports are now competing in abbreviated Lone Star Conference spring schedules.