Danville - Averett Athletic Director Sam Ferguson has stepped down after 12 years at the school, the past five as A.D. The '97 Averett graduate has accepted a new opportunity to become the executive director at a Danville law firm, Clement & Wheatley. Ferguson has championed Averett's growth as a university and will be sorely missed. A national search will begin immediately for a permanent director and an interim appointment will be announced before Ferguson's departure on Sept. 15.