The Buddy System
There has been a positive wind of change blowing through Mississippi University for Women’s intercollegiate athletics program the past few years. And it has been a breath of fresh air, provided by Director of Athletics Buddy Foster assuming the mantle of leadership for the Owls’ program.
Now in his third year at the helm, Foster – whose real first name is Charles (“My dad called me his ‘little buddy,’” he explains) – has drawn on more than 35 years of experience as both a coach and administrator to chart a course of upward growth for The W. His vision extends beyond the fields of competition, into the classroom and outside the Columbus campus, as well.
The results have been irrefutable.
Academically, W student-athletes have achieved record success in the classroom to the tune of a departmental grade point average (GPA) of 3.22 in 2023-24 and a 3.24 GPA for 2024-25. During Foster’s tenure, no less than 112 Owls have earned conference honors for their work in the classroom. Fifty received academic district/region honors, as well as one Academic All-American. Seven teams also procured national honors from their respective organizations for academic success.
“I view (academics) as the most important thing that we can provide here as coaches and administrators,” Foster said. “We want to always follow the NCAA Division III model, which puts a premium on the balance, and understand that we are preparing young women and men for the real world after college. Athletics is an experiential part of their growth while at The W, not the ‘end all’ of why they are here.”
But as is often the case when student-athletes have high achievement because of the discipline necessary in the classroom, success follows in competition, as well. The W has certainly picked up its share, concurrent with Foster guiding the Owls’ athletics program into its first two years as full members of both the NCAA Division III and St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SLIAC).
In two years, W teams have made 25 league post-season championship competitions, including men’s golf, which has earned back-to-back SLIAC titles and made two consecutive NCAA III national tournament appearances. Baseball was the conference’s runner-up for both the regular season and postseason tournament in 2025, while softball made its second-straight tournament appearance.
Individual accolades have come to The W’s student athletes along the way. Seventy-eight have earned all-SLIAC awards, and there have been 78 conference Player of the Week honors (as well as two on the national level). Six all region and two all-America awards have followed, as well.
“It is very important that, as the leader of our team, I do all I can to provide the best possible path to success, while adhering to the mission of The W. Whether it’s facilities, operations, fundraising, travel or marketing of Owls Athletics, I am an advocate for our players and coaches,” Foster reiterated. “We want to create the best environment and experience possible and give them all a chance to reap the rewards of their work.”
Perhaps no aspect of The W’s program has shown a more expansive improvement than the Owls’ involvement in campus and community activities. In 2024-25, The W contributed more than 4,000 service hours by its athletes, coaches and staff (finishing as the runner-up in the SLIAC in that area).
The outreach by the Owls is no accident; it is a heartfelt direction Foster believes is a part of the Owl experience. “We have all been blessed to be able to represent The W in athletics,” Foster rightly points out. “Therefore, every one of us has a duty to use our platform and abilities to help others when an opportunity arises. That’s our goal as Owls Athletics.”
The list of places and events where W Athletics has been involved is extensive, and every team is expected by Foster to be out there in some way, shape or form. The W Athletics has participated in such events such as: the Diabetes Walk, Clean-Up Columbus, the campus Oktoberfest, Challenger Baseball League, Children’s of Mississippi Hospital, Fellowship of Christian Athletes Golf Outing, visitation and reading programs at local elementary schools, the Columbus-Lowndes Public Library, Joy Prom, The W Food Pantry, United Way of the Golden Triangle Region, Toys for Tots, blood and bone marrow drives, Loaves & Fishes ministry, community safe trick-or treating and Easter egg hunts and activities with Columbus Air Force Base, to name a few.
“Buddy’s experience and knowledge have helped the department navigate transition and create a vision for the future of Owls Athletics,” Vice-President for Student Affairs Jessica Harpole said. “He sets high expectations for himself and those around him, and his leadership focuses on consistency, mentorship and the student experience.
Under his direction, our student-athletes are thriving inside and outside of the classroom, and our staff is being challenged and developed alongside them. I am blessed to work with a professional who models behaviors that drive meaningful progress.”
Foster is the first to admit that it is not always easy to set these expectations for Owl student-athletes and staff.
“I’ve been there so I know what it takes to reach these high goals we have for The W Athletics,” Foster reflects. “I know the hours our staff puts in above and beyond a normal work week, and that our athletes have higher expectations of them to begin with. But it is important that we set ourselves apart and earn respect for our programs in every possible manner, especially as we are out there asking some of these same organizations and people to support us and our mission.
“I’m reminded that ‘to whom much is given, much is required.’”
Foster’s philosophy has been one that has emphasized the foundational strength of everyone working together toward the common good. He has challenged those under his wings to reach higher, push further and have a University-wide view of the place of Owls Athletics.
It is what has produced the tremendous growth. It is why there have been gains across the board. In other words, it is the “Buddy system.”