University of North Carolina Athletics
Long Named Director of Softball Operations
August 18, 2021 | Softball
CHAPEL HILL – Preston Long will serve as the University of North Carolina softball's new director of operations, head coach Donna J. Papa announced Wednesday.
"I am thrilled to welcome Preston to our Tar Heel softball family," Papa said.
"He has had numerous experiences in director of operations roles that make him a great fit for this position. As a North Carolina native, he has also grown up a Carolina fan and will be an outstanding representative of our program."
Long arrives in Chapel Hill after spending last season as the director of operations at NC State.
Among his responsibilities, he coordinated all team travel, planned and executed team meals and cut and tagged practice and game film.
An Apex, N.C., native, Long received both his undergrad and master's degrees from the University of South Carolina. While in Columbia, he held multiple roles within the Gamecock softball program, including head manager and graduate assistant.
Long assisted with day-to-day team operations, including the ordering of equipment, inventory, laundry, compiling team analytics reports for each opponent and helping to coordinate tournaments hosted by South Carolina.
"It's a dream come true to be able to work at UNC," Long said.
"As someone who grew up coming to games in Chapel Hill, it's surreal to know that I now get to come to work every day at Carolina. I can't thank Coach Papa enough for the opportunity to work with this storied program and I can't wait to play a small part in its future success."
Stay up to date with Carolina Softball by following the Tar Heels on Twitter and Instagram.
"I am thrilled to welcome Preston to our Tar Heel softball family," Papa said.
"He has had numerous experiences in director of operations roles that make him a great fit for this position. As a North Carolina native, he has also grown up a Carolina fan and will be an outstanding representative of our program."
Long arrives in Chapel Hill after spending last season as the director of operations at NC State.
Among his responsibilities, he coordinated all team travel, planned and executed team meals and cut and tagged practice and game film.
An Apex, N.C., native, Long received both his undergrad and master's degrees from the University of South Carolina. While in Columbia, he held multiple roles within the Gamecock softball program, including head manager and graduate assistant.
Long assisted with day-to-day team operations, including the ordering of equipment, inventory, laundry, compiling team analytics reports for each opponent and helping to coordinate tournaments hosted by South Carolina.
"It's a dream come true to be able to work at UNC," Long said.
"As someone who grew up coming to games in Chapel Hill, it's surreal to know that I now get to come to work every day at Carolina. I can't thank Coach Papa enough for the opportunity to work with this storied program and I can't wait to play a small part in its future success."
Stay up to date with Carolina Softball by following the Tar Heels on Twitter and Instagram.
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