Michael Ellis assumed the role of Director of Facility Operations in July of 2011. Previously, Ellis served the Bears' men’s basketball staff as the director of operations in 2010-11.

Ellis worked as a graduate assistant for under Mercer Senior Associate Athletics Director Sybil Blalock, as well. Ellis handled a variety of duties as a GA, working in everything from game day operations to assisting with eligibility, and from performing administrative duties to workng with the  volumous needs of hosting the A-Sun Basketball Championships.

Ellis was a two-year letter winner for the Bears (2007-09), after sititng out the 2006-07 campaign after transferring from UNC-Asheville. While at UNC-A, Ellis earned the Big South Conference “Freshman of the Year” award.

Among the many good memories Ellis lists during his time in the Orange and Black, he says that the top one was during the 2007-08 season when Mercer topped No. 18-ranked University of Southern California on the Trojans’ home floor.

In a close second of Ellis’ favorite “Bear Moments” was when MU knocked off both Alabama and Auburn on the road in the same week during the 2007-08 season.

Ellis enjoyed an outstanding high school career playing at South Iredell and Fork Union (Va.). He averaged 31 points and 10 rebounds per game as a senior for the Vikings and was named Iredell County “Player of the Year” for three straight years prior to that. Ellis also earned first team all-state honors and was named conference player of the year following his senior season.
 
A native of Statesville, N.C., Ellis is the son of Steve and Sandie Ellis. He has one younger sister (Chelsea).

A 2008 graduate of Mercer (with a business degree), Ellis completed his MBA degree from Mercer in December of 2010.