Serving as missionaries in Africa was a possibility that Dale and Karen Scully dreamed only a year ago.
Now the Americans are UCU’s newest expatriate family. Dale is the university’s new Sports Director and Deputy Director of Student Affairs (DOSA). And Karen finds herself here raising their three children on campus.

The connection to UCU was built by a contact with UCU’s former Sports Director Jason Mehl at a pick-up basketball game in Georgia, USA.
“After the game Jason and I met for a cup of coffee,” Scully recalls.
The meeting offered him a rare opportunity to serve in Africa.
“We shared about various things and when I mentioned that I was considering doing missions in Africa, Jason told me about a possible opportunity at a Ugandan university,” he said.
To Scully, the circumstances of how his journey to UCU began confirm one thing, “It was a calling.” 
After praying and talking it over with Karen, Scully submitted his papers for a job at UCU and his application was successful.
To ensure that the Africa mission dream became a reality, in June Scully and his wife started fundraising. And on September 29 they arrived in Uganda, the first time they ever set foot in Africa.
It is possible Scully came highly recommended by Mehl, but that might not entirely be the reason he is at UCU.
He brings along a wealth of knowledge in students and sports administration.
For two years, Scully was Associate Dean of Students at, Toccoa Falls College and before this he served as Director of Resident life at Kings College in New York, where he doubled as the men’s basketball coach.
One of the tasks Scully faces is striking a balance between the different sporting disciplines at UCU.
More often than not human nature dictates that one gains keen interest in an area that they have more expertise in.
However, do not be deceived, Scully has bigger plans up his sleeves.
“I believe that sports is one of the premier leadership building tools. Regardless of whether its basketball, football, volleyball or any other sport I see value in the athletes and what they do,” notes Scully. He adds that, “My goal is to champion the development of sports as a whole not Just basketball.” 
The fact that he has no intension to promote basketball, a sport he played and coached at the expense of other disciplines may give the other athletes reassurance that they will all stay at the same footing. 
It is evident that discipline is a virtue Scully intends to ensure that UCU athletes regard highly.
“I want student athletes that are responsible, hardworking and have good character,” he said.
Not only that, Scully intends to work closely with coaches and the different stakeholders to ensure that UCU athletes always compete for the glory of God.
He believes that once it is achieved the athletes will be able to give 100% effort and be able to show love and care to their opponents.
“Athletics is not just a place you come and play games. It provides a platform for athletes to become ambassadors of Christ,” he said.
It is a common phenomenon in sports that in a match, one’s opponent is treated like an enemy. In case Scully’s plan to share love works out, UCU teams will definitely be models and change agents in Uganda’s sports sector.
      Scully has been a college coach before but that is a responsibility he is not about to take on.
       “At the moment my plan is to be the Director of Sports,” he said.
         However, he is willing to be a resource to the basketball coaches. That will come as good news to Nicholas Natuhereza and Mande Juruni as they prepare their teams for the league playoffs
        Scully is not about to rush into doing things, he might be the boss in the sports department but he will not effect any changes immediately.
        “I don’t plan to make any changes soon; I need sometime, a year or more to evaluate the areas of need,” he said.
          Scully, Karen and their children Jacob (10), Allen (7) and Andrew (5) are poised to be at UCU for the next three years.
          “We committed to three years after which we shall evaluate and see whether or not we can stay longer,” said Scully.