Communications Chair: 

Matt Cox, CMAA

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Athletic Director

Covenant School
33 Burton Hills Blvd., Nashville, TN 37215

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Matt Cox graduated from Tupelo High School (MS) in 2009, where he was a three-time state swim champion. His high school swim coach greatly impacted his life and influenced his decision to pursue a career in coaching. After high school, Cox received his undergraduate degree in Sports Administration from Union University and a Masters degree in Sports Administration from Belmont University. While at Belmont, he had the opportunity to serve as a Graduate Assistant for the Belmont Women's Basketball team. 

At Belmont, Cox had the privilege of meeting Mike Ellson, the founding Athletic Director at Christ Presbyterian Academy in Nashville. Ellson offered Cox the opportunity to intern at CPA the following year. During that year, Cox was able to witness the transformative power of interscholastic athletics at the high school level, under Ellson's guidance. This experience led to Cox being offered the position of Athletic Coordinator at CPA.  During his tenure, the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association recognized the Athletic Department as a Quality Program in 2018.

As the Athletic Coordinator, Cox was responsible for day-to-day operations and game day preparation, including facilitating football, basketball, and baseball games. He also managed other event management for home athletic events. Among his achievements, Cox significantly improved the athletic department's social media channels and fan engagement, managed concession stands, and organized over 500 parent and faculty volunteers for all home athletic events. He also oversaw ticket operations and introduced digital ticketing via (GoFan), managed venue capacities during the COVID-19 pandemic, and coordinated the production of CPA's NFHS network broadcast. In addition to his administrative responsibilities, Matt also served as the Middle School swim coach and tennis coach. 

Cox is particularly proud of his involvement with the TIAAA and NIAAA. While at CPA, Ellson quickly involved Cox with these two great organizations. He has enjoyed meeting many incredible athletic directors and attending national and state conferences. In 2020, the NIAAA recognized him as a Certified Master Athletic Administrator. Cox has served on two National Host Committees for the National Conference in Nashville, TN, in 2016 and 2022. He currently serves on the NIAAA endowment committee.  In 2024, he was named the Tennessee Athletic Director of the Year by the TIAAA. 

After serving as the Athletic Coordinator at CPA for seven years, Cox had the opportunity to become Director of Athletics at The Covenant School in August of 2022. Covenant is a private Preschool - 6th grade school in Nashville. At Covenant, he oversees all aspects of the school's athletic programs, which include nine teams across six different sports. He has grown athletic participation and sports offerings with the addition of Boys' Soccer, Girls' Soccer, Cheerleading, and a Golf team. He facilitated the Covenant athletic program's Harpeth Valley Athletic Conference membership.