LEXINGTON, Va. – VMI Athletics and Jamaal Walton welcome two key additions to the Keydet staff, as Deion Betts has been hired as the Associate Athletic Director for Administration and Business Strategy, and Matt Beaven has been hired as the Director of Athletics Equipment and Services.

Betts comes to VMI from Florida International University, where he served as the Assistant Athletic Director of Business and Finance, leading the daily business and financial operations for assigned programs. Among Betts' areas of responsibility are: oversight of operating budgets, purchasing, contracts as well as team and recruiting travel. Maintaining compliance with school, conference and NCAA rules, Betts worked to improve processes at FIU, while training staff and administrators on financial procedures. Betts' professional development includes the NCAA-NAADD Foundations of Fundraising program, the College Athletic Business Management Association Mentor Me program, and the LEARFIELD E.D.G.E. Academy.

Prior to FIU, Betts worked for the University of Missouri Athletics Department, where he earned his master's degree in sports management. Betts received a Bachelor of Science in Sport and Fitness Administration from Graceland University in Iowa.

Beaven joins the VMI Athletics team most recently from Marshall, where he was the Director of Equipment for the football team. Overseeing 12 student managers, Beaven handled all things equipment for the team, including orders, fitting, maintenance and coordination of travel. Beaven took over the role in 2024, after serving as the Assistant Director of Equipment for the football team the year prior. Before his time in Huntington, Beaven was an Assistant Equipment Manager for Stetson Athletics and an intern for the University of Akron Athletics equipment department.

Beaven, who is certified through the Athletic Equipment Managers Association (AEMA), earned his Bachelor of Science in Sport and Entertainment Management from the University of South Carolina in 2021.