After 37 years, Athletic Director Sallie Beard is leaving Missouri Southern.

A Southern physical education graduate (’72), Beard will be retiring effective June 30.

“Sallie’s been here almost as long as I’ve been out of high school, she bleeds green and gold, it’ll be sad to see her enjoy her retirement,” said Board of Governors member Rod Anderson.

During her more than 40 years at Southern as a student and coach, Beard created the women’s basketball, tennis and softball teams and coached women’s track & field, basketball and tennis.

No decision has been made as to who will assume the role of director of athletics.