two lists

Mike Waters, Syracuse Post Standard


John Hardt, Bucknell: Hardt's name was part of SU's search last year and should be again this time around simply because he combines so many key facets to the job.

He knows Syracuse. He was hired as SU's first-even compliance director in 1992. He spent five years at Syracuse.

He knows the NCAA and compliance. Prior to coming to SU, Hardt worked for the NCAA as a compliance representative.

He knows football on all scales. He's overseen Bucknell's football program for 15 years, but he also was the associate AD at Michigan State and played on Iowa's 1982 Rose Bowl team. ////


>At the helm of a proud and flourishing Bison athletics program is director of athletics and recreation John Hardt, who is now in his 15th year at Bucknell and his 29th year in athletics administration. Hardt administers a broad-based sports program with a proud and successful history.

Since his arrival, Hardt has orchestrated one of the nation’s most assertive facilities overhauls, built and maintained relationships with major donors, restructured the athletics administration in order to help Bucknell stay ahead of the curve in the fast-paced world of Division I athletics and built upon Bucknell’s long-standing tradition of scholar-athlete excellence.

Hardt is privileged to oversee a varsity athletics program that has long been at the head of the class in the Patriot League, both on the playing fields and in the classroom. From Presidents’ Cups to Academic All-Americans to the nation’s best graduation rate, Bison Athletics carries a proud heritage.

While building on Bucknell’s athletic and academic excellence is paramount, Hardt has also incorporated progressive ideas in the area of external relations. Initiatives such as increased online video programming, a new graphics identity package, an informative and visually appealing athletics website and a revamped Bison Club all serve to bring Bison Athletics into the homes of its supporters.

During his productive tenure at Bucknell, Hardt has overseen continual growth in Bison Club donations, with receipts now annually topping $2 million, and he has seen the program benefit from several major gifts. While the Kenneth G. Langone Athletics and Recreation Center is the crown jewel of a successful university fundraising campaign, other significant offerings include a $7.6 million donation from William Graham — one of the largest in university history — which was directed toward women’s athletics and the successful restoration of wrestling to varsity status. Graham Field, the AstroTurf venue at the West Fields, was also a result of that gift.

Other major gifts have included the funding of the FieldTurf playing surface and new lighting in Christy Mathewson-Memorial Stadium, the Holmes Stadium grandstand/press box facility that supports both Graham Field and Emmitt Field, the ongoing upgrades to the baseball and softball facilities, a brand new instructional golf center, as well as endowments for football, track and field, water polo and swimming and diving.

At Bucknell, Hardt has initiated groundbreaking deals in the area of apparel (adidas), marketing (Bucknell Sports Properties) and sports medicine (Geisinger Sports Medicine).

While much has been achieved in the last 14 years, Hardt’s vision for Bison Athletics carries well into the future. Working with campus and department leadership, he has developed a long-range plan for Bucknell Athletics that meshes with the University’s strategic plan, entitled The Plan for Bucknell. Hardt’s plan focuses on future facilities upgrades, places an emphasis on diversity and gender equity, and promises the continued commitment to a student-centered athletics and recreation program that adheres to the student-athlete ideal.

In the fall of 2011, Hardt announced the launching of the Bucknell Bison Leadership Academy, a program designed identify, develop, challenge and support student-athletes and coaches in their continual quest to become leaders in academics, in athletics and in life.

Hardt, who received the Gen. Robert R. Neyland Outstanding Athletic Director Award in March 2008 the All-American Football Foundation’s 91st Banquet of Champions, also remains very active in athletics governance at the national level. In 2006-07 he served as chair of the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision Committee, he recently completed a four-year term on the Division I Baseball Committee, and in 2012 he earned a presigious post on the NCAA Division I Leadership Council. He is also in his first year as a member of the Division I Men’s Lacrosse Committee.

Hardt began his tenure at Bucknell on February 15, 2000, after serving four years as associate director of athletics at Michigan State University. While there, Hardt supervised the sports medicine staff, strength and conditioning, equipment operations, computing and tech services and NCAA/Big Ten rules compliance. In addition, he handled legal and contractual issues for the department.

Prior to his tenure at MSU, Hardt spent five years at Syracuse University as director of athletic compliance and four years with the NCAA’s national office as a compliance representative.
A native Iowan, Hardt is a 1984 honors graduate of the University of Iowa, and he was a member of the Hawkeyes’ 1982 Rose Bowl football team. He later earned his law degree from Iowa and is a doctoral candidate in Iowa’s College of Education.

Mike Waters Syracuse Post Standard


Danny White, Buffalo: White seemed like an ideal candidate for the Syracuse job last year. He was overseeing a Division I program just down the New York State Thruway from Syracuse. He also had the bloodlines for the job. His father is Duke athletic director Kevin White.

But last November, White became the athletic director at Central Florida.

Would he leave UCF for Syracuse? His stay in Orlando would be even shorter than Coyle's stay in Syracuse. ////

UCF website:

Danny White was named Vice President and Director of Athletics at UCF on Nov. 18, 2015. He began his tenure at UCF Dec. 14, 2015.

White comes to UCF from the State University of New York at Buffalo, where he has served as Director of Athletics since May 2012. Regarded as one of the nation’s most talented young athletic directors, White brings a strong record of success on the field and in the classroom to UCF.

White, a former college basketball player and New Orleans native, has quickly ascended in the ranks of college athletics leadership. Prior to his role as AD at Buffalo, White was senior associate athletics director at the University of Mississippi from 2009-12. He previously served as associate athletics director for development at California State University – Fresno and assistant athletics director for development at Northern Illinois University from 2006-07.

He played college basketball at Towson University and the University of Notre Dame and was director of operations and assistant coach for one season each with Ohio University’s men’s basketball team.

During his tenure in Buffalo, White worked with athletics administrators, coaches, and staff to transform the Bulls’ program and culture, shattering previous school records for student-athlete GPAs, NCAA tournament berths, fundraising, and football ticket sales.

During White’s three years at Buffalo, he, his colleagues and the Bulls’ student-athletes raised the program’s profile in the community and nationally. Their achievements include:

• Buffalo teams, including men’s basketball, earned three NCAA tournament bids in 2014-15, compared with just one in the prior 15 years.

• UB student-athletes have recorded an average GPA of at least 3.0 for seven consecutive semesters. Prior to White’s arrival, the average GPA had never exceed 3.0 in any semester.

• Financial support for UB athletics has reached an all-time high, with the number of donors increasing by 137 percent since the start of a membership campaign in 2013.

• UB shattered its football attendance records in 2013 after adding interactive opportunities for fans, including a tailgate concert series with nationally known artists.

• The state’s largest public university and the flagship of the SUNY system, UB for the first time adopted a radio network that spanned the entire state.

White is a 2002 graduate of Notre Dame with a bachelor’s degree in business administration. He earned master’s degrees in both business administration and sports administration from Ohio University. He is working to complete a PhD in higher education from the University of Mississippi, expecting to earn that degree in 2016.

White comes from a family deeply involved in intercollegiate athletics. His father, Kevin, is director of athletics at Duke University. His brother, Michael, is the head men’s basketball coach at the University of Florida. His brother, Brian, is the senior associate athletics director for development at the University of Missouri.

Danny and his wife, Shawn, have four children: Aidan, Molly, Caitlin and James.

Mike Waters Post Standard

Jim Schaus, Ohio University: Schaus was reportedly among the final list of names that the search firm presented to SU's nine-member search committee last year.

Schaus has been at Ohio since 2008. Prior to that, he spent nine years at Wichita State. While overseeing Ohio's many sports teams, Schaus has an extensive basketball background. He's a member of the NCAA tournament selection committee. He's also served on the rules committee. His father, the late Fred Schaus, was the basketball coach at Purdue and West Virginia and also coached the Los Angeles Lakers. ////

Jim Schaus was named Ohio's Director of Athletics, Ohio President Dr. Roderick J. McDavis announced on April 7, 2008. Schaus came to Athens after serving in the same capacity at Wichita State University for the past nine years.

At Ohio, his responsibilities include the management of all areas of the 16-sport, Mid-American Conference program, including sport management, budget, personnel, academics, compliance, fund raising, marketing, public relations and student-athlete welfare.

Schaus has assisted in building one of the most successful overall programs in the Mid-American Conference. In 2010, the department was ranked 12th nationally for economic efficiency based on resourceful investment and team success. He has guided the effort to transform a $2.3 million annual operating budget shortfall into a balanced budget in two years through increased resources and strategic reductions and helped the department meet annual budget projections in all three years of his leadership. He has developed a comprehensive, five-year strategic plan which produced 96% completion rate in just three years.

The 2009 football team finished 9-5 with an appearance in Little Caesars Pizza Bowl and the 2010 squad posted an 8-5 mark and another bowl appearance at the R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl. Men's basketball won the MAC Tournament Championship in 2010 and defeated nationally-ranked Georgetown in the NCAA Tournament. Volleyball has won three consecutive MAC titles and three NCAA appearances with two tournament victories. The program has won nine conference championships in the past ten years.

The department has set all-time revenue records for annual fundraising, season ticket sales, total ticket revenue, sponsorships, licensing and concessions under his leadership. Ohio has increased annual giving and membership by 20 percent during the past three years and has established a new statewide volunteer annual giving program, spring Caravans events and a major gift prospect management system. He is currently directing a $20 million capital campaign effort, which has included major gifts for Ohio University's new Multi-Purpose Center and Convocation Center projects. He also assisted in the cultivation of the largest single gift in athletic department history ($10 million).

Ohio's student-athletes have amassed a 3.1 overall GPA during his tenure and 94% of those that have completed their eligibility have graduated. The Bobcats are among the national leaders in graduation success rate in several sports and the department is one of only 17 Division I schools to have never committed a major NCAA violation.

Schaus has also participated in the university's shared governance structure through President McDavis' Executive Cabinet, Deans Cabinet. Schaus also attends University Trustees and Foundation Board meetings and serves on the NCAA Men's Basketball Rules Committee and the MAC Strategic Planning Committee.

Since assuming control of the WSU department on July 1, 1999, Schaus reached the goal of making WSU one of the most competitive programs in the Missouri Valley Conference (MVC), a fact highlighted by WSU's four-straight MVC all-sports trophies. The four-straight awards were highlighted by a WSU record seven conference titles in 2005-06, as well as 20 Valley team titles in the last four years.

In addition, all Wichita State sports that sell tickets were ranked nationally in attendance during the past two years, which is undoubtedly a direct result of Schaus' efforts to upgrade institutional athletics facilities.

For his leadership and vision, he was named the Division I Central Region AstroTurf AD of the Year at the 2007 NACDA convention.

The foundation for recent Shocker success, the $25 million Roundhouse Renaissance project, came to fruition in the autumn of 2003 with the completion of Charles Koch Arena, and surrounding Henry Levitt Athletic Complex.

In 2007, Wichita State won MVC team titles in women's cross country, women's indoor track and field, women's outdoor track and field, women's tennis and baseball. Nationally, men's basketball rose to a #8 national ranking, while the baseball team made its 25th NCAA Tournament appearance in Gene Stephenson's 30th season, playing host to an NCAA Super Regional for the first time since the format was restructured. Another highlight was the women's tennis team's first national ranking last season, while finishing the season 27-3, the most wins in school history. The tennis team also ranked #31 in the polls after starting the season unranked.

In 2006, WSU won a record seven Valley titles, which included the first men's basketball title since 1983. The Shockers also won titles in men's golf, women's tennis, volleyball, women's cross country, women's indoor track and field and women's outdoor track and field. The baseball team earned a spot in the NCAA Tournament for the 24th time.

In order to create a solid foundation in his first year, Schaus restructured the department in an effort to create a business-like atmosphere, and in the process hired five head coaches and five new administrators. The department also completed the $7.8 million Eck Stadium-Home of Tyler Field project during his first year, further emphasizing Schaus' commitment to ensuring WSU student-athletes have the best facilities in which to practice and play.

Schaus came to WSU with an impressive background in athletics administration with stints in collegiate athletics at Oregon, Cincinnati, Texas-El Paso and Northern Illinois. Known for his excellent communication skills, attention to detail and team-building skills, Schaus has spent nearly 24 years in athletics administration, with a substantial emphasis in external relations and internal management. In 1982, Schaus worked as an intern for the NFL's New England Patriots, and after graduation worked as a publicity assistant for the LPGA Tour before heading to Washington as a director of marketing for the Redskins.

Schaus has been a member of the initial NCAA Division I Committee on Academic Performance, an 11-member committee, which is made up of conference commissioners, athletics directors, NCAA staff and associate ADs, and is charged with administering the new system on academic reform.

In 1987, Schaus received his master's degree in athletics administration from West Virginia and was recently honored as a distinguished alumnus by the university. In 1983, Schaus earned his bachelor's degree from Purdue.

Jim and his wife Priscilla have three children: Kevin, Diane and Laura.

Mike Waters Syracuse Post Standard

Marty Scarano, New Hampshire: Syracuse is about to begin the process of building a new stadium or renovating the Carrier Dome, so it would make sense to hire an athletic director with experience in that area.

Scarano recently oversaw New Hampshire's campaign to raise funds to build a new $26 million football stadium. The facility is set to open this September.

It might be hard to pry Scarano away from New Hampshire. He's been there for 16 years.

Scarano does have some ties to Central New York. He earned his master's degree at Colgate. He is a Pittsburgh native and Penn State graduate. ////


The 2015-16 academic year marks the 16th year Marty Scarano is serving as the director of athletics at the University of New Hampshire. During his tenure, Scarano has heightened national exposure for UNH athletics with academics, facility renovations and programmatic advancement being top priorities.
There has been over $15 million in capital improvements since Scarano’s hiring in the summer of 2000. On Jan. 31, 2014, the University announced plans to construct a $25 million athletic complex as part of the campus’ master plan. Expected to open in summer 2016, the facility will offer increased and improved seating, state-of-the art broadcast and WiFi capability, concessions, restrooms and a special student section. The original concrete section of the current East Side facility dates to the 1930s. Construction has already begun to take shape with the addition of stadium lights, replacement of the general admission stands and re-orientation of concrete stadium seating and aisle ways.
Most recently in the spring of 2015, UNH finished construction on the $2 million Watkins Center for Student-Athlete Excellence at the Field House for its Division I and Northeast Passage student-athletes, funded entirely on private donations. Then in summer 2015, it was announced that the Whittemore Center – home to both ice hockey teams and site of the 2016 Women’s Frozen Four – will receive a substantial facelift ($1.3 million) in the form of a four-sided, center-hung video board, a high resolution end zone board and LED display band.
In the spring of 2013, the artificial turf surface was replaced at Memorial Field, home of the Wildcat field hockey team. The project had an estimated cost of $850,000. The athletic training room in the UNH Field House was completely renovated over the winter break of the 2012-13 academic year. With a redesigned layout, energy-efficient lighting and state-of-the art equipment, the athletic training room is larger, more comfortable, enjoyable and efficient for student-athletes and staff. In the summer of 2013, a new scoreboard at Bremner Field, home of the UNH men’s and women’s soccer programs at a cost of $20,000.
In 2012, a new scoreboard was installed at Cowell Stadium, and the football locker room received a facelift. Changes included a new lighting system while a 55-inch flat-screen TV and Fathead-designed murals featuring former players and UNH historical images were added to the walls. A memorial of Todd Walker was also added in honor of the former Wildcat wide receiver who suffered an untimely and heroic death in March of 2011. In summer 2007, the Cowell Stadium grass field was replaced with a $1 million FieldTurf synthetic surface.
As part of a $650,000 renovation project in the summer of 2011, the field turf at Bremner Field was replaced with a new surface used by many varsity teams and for student recreational activities. In the fall of 2008, the Paul Sweet Oval renovation was completed to include new surfaces, lighting, painting, infrastructure upgrades and the replacement of windows that existed in the original architecture. The total cost of the project exceeded $500,000. Additionally in 2007, a complete renovation of Lundholm Gymnasium was undertaken. The $600,000 overhaul included a new bleacher system, new scoreboards, competition baskets and other aesthetic enhancements.
When the new state of the art video board is installed in the Whitt and the stadium completed in 2016, Scarano’s tenure will have realized over $41 million in capital improvements.
Scarano has helped elevate UNH athletics into the collegiate national arena. To accomplish that goal, the University has taken on the task of hosting many major NCAA championships. Most recently, New Hampshire was host of the 2015 Men’s Ice Hockey Northeast Regional at the Verizon Wireless Arena (Manchester, N.H.) and assisted Hockey East with the 2015 Men’s Ice Hockey Frozen Four at TD Garden (Boston, Mass). And in the next two years, UNH is host of the 2016 Women’s Frozen Four at the Whittemore Center and the 2017 Skiing Championship.
Student-athletes have excelled both in academics and athletics during Scarano’s tenure. A total of seven University of New Hampshire teams (men’s basketball, women’s cross country, field hockey, gymnastics, women’s indoor and outdoor track & field, and volleyball) received NCAA Public Recognition for posting a multi-year Academic Progress Rate score in the top 10 percent of their respective sport, and six squads received a perfect score in the NCAA Academic Progress Rate.
UNH won the 2014-15 America East Academic Cup by recording the highest combined GPA among all conference student-athletes with a mark of 3.23 – the highest in the award’s 20-year history; the Wildcats placed second in the standings four of the previous five years. New Hampshire had a league-high 10 student-athletes named as an America East Presidential Scholar-Athlete, the ‘Cats took home Elite 18 awards and four sport-specific Student-Athlete of the Year awards.
UNH also had one of its best years in competition in the 2014-15 academic season. The Wildcats placed 78th in the Learfield Sports Directors’ Cup with its second-highest point total (248.5) in school history; the Wildcats were the top-ranked America East school. Also of note, New Hampshire tied for 26th in the Capital One Cup men’s standings.
During Scarano’s tenure, UNH teams have made 68 NCAA postseason appearances and captured 22 conference titles. The ski team has competed at the NCAA Championships every year and consistently places among the top 10 in the nation. Gymnastics has also been a model of consistency and with participation in 14 NCAA tournaments. The football program has qualified for the NCAA FCS postseason for a nation-leading 11 consecutive seasons and advanced to the semifinals in both 2013 and 2014. Men’s ice hockey holds a pair of Hockey East titles and has made 11 trips to the NCAA tournament, including Frozen Four appearances in 2002 and 2003. Women’s ice hockey has seen NCAA action five times with two Frozen Four appearances; the squad captured consecutive Hockey East Championships from 2006-09. Volleyball has also made five NCAA tournament appearances, including back-to-back trips in ‘13 and ‘14, after capturing conference titles in 1998, 2002, 2003, 2013 and 2014. The field hockey team captured its second America East crown in three years – and third with Scarano at the helm – in 2013 en route to its third national tournament appearance. Women’s lacrosse has earned a pair of NCAA berths (2004, 2008), one coming after an America East championship victory in 2004. Women’s soccer won its first America East tournament title in 2014 en route to its first NCAA tourney appearance. Two members of the women’s outdoor track and field team qualified for the NCAAs out of the regionals and earned team points with All-America efforts in the steeplechase.
Additionally, 24 coaches have won 77 “Coach of the Year” awards during Scarano’s tenure, ranging from conference, regional and national, including football head coach Sean McDonnell garnering the Eddie Robinson National Coach of the Year in 2005 and 2014.
The Wildcat athletic department has played host to several highly successful NCAA Men’s Ice Hockey Northeast Regionals at the Verizon Wireless Arena in 2004, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2013 and 2015. UNH was host of the NCAA Women’s Ice Hockey Frozen Four at the Whittemore Center in 2002 and 2005. In addition, UNH successfully hosted the 2007 NCAA Skiing Championships in Washington Valley as well as the 2005 NCAA Women’s Gymnastics Northeast Regional at the Whittemore Center. The women’s hockey team played in the first outdoor game in the history of NCAA women’s hockey in 2010 at the Sun Life Frozen Fenway game and defeated Northeastern, while the men’s squad played in the 2012 Sun Life Frozen Fenway game against Maine. Football also competed in Colonial Clash games at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass., in 2010 and 2011; the Wildcats were victorious on both occasions against the University of Massachusetts.
In 2007, Scarano was awarded the National Association of College Directors of Athletics (NACDA) AD of the Year for the FCS. Additionally, Scarano was also named the All-American Football Foundation Athletic Director of the Year for FCS football in the Northeast region. Scarano was the chair of the executive committees for Atlantic 10 football, Hockey East and America East from 2003-07. He is currently both the Chairperson of Athletic Directors Council for America East and the chair of CAA Football.
He also served as chair of the NCAA Division I Men’s Ice Hockey Committee in 2005-06 and 2006-07. Scarano was a member of the Hockey East restructuring team that successfully recruited Notre Dame and University of Connecticut to the conference. Outside of athletics, Scarano is in his 12th year on the Board of Corporators at Canterbury Shaker Village, a non-profit museum located in Canterbury, N.H.
Before arriving at UNH, Scarano held the position of Athletics Director at Colorado College from July 1996 through June 2000. During his tenure, Colorado College was ranked among the top 20 Division III programs in the Sears Cup national standings and produced several All-Americans, all-academic award winners and NCAA post-graduate scholarship recipients. Prior to his stay in Colorado Springs, Scarano worked for 13 years at Colgate University, where he served as assistant director of athletics, director of physical education, associate director, and senior associate director.
Scarano, a native of Pittsburgh, Pa., is a 1978 graduate of Penn State University, where he started his athletic career as assistant ticket manager and the athletics events manager from 1980-83. Scarano holds a Master’s Degree in Environmental History from Colgate. He and his wife, Cydney, have three children: daughter, Lynden; son, Kyle, a recent graduate of UNH; and daughter, Corey, a junior at UNH.

I am on the Jarmond train.

Mike Waters Syracuse Post Standard

Sean Frazier, Northern Illinois: Frazier wasn't interested in interviewing for the Syracuse job last year. He also showed no interest in openings at Pittsburgh and Illinois.

But he might be ready to leave Northern Illinois now. Frazier reportedly interviewed for the Minnesota job that ultimately went to Coyle.

Frazier, 47, has spent the past three seasons as the NIU athletics director. The former Alabama football player worked as a deputy administrator for Wisconsin AD Barry Alvarez during three Rose Bowl seasons. ////

Northern Ill. Website

NIU (2013 -- Present)
In his third year as the Associate Vice-President and Director of Athletics at Northern Illinois University, Sean T. Frazier is moving Huskie Athletics forward with an unwavering belief that "success comes to those who expect it" and a firm determination to instill an expectation of excellence throughout the department and beyond.

On the field, in the classroom, and the community, the expectations are turning into reality. In 2014-15, nine NIU teams finished in the top half of the Mid-American Conference, an increase of five teams from the previous year. The Huskie football team won its third MAC title in the last four years while continuing a run that has made NIU one of the winningest teams in the nation. NIU's men's tennis team, meanwhile, brought home its second regular season MAC Championship in as many seasons in 2015.

NIU also topped all MAC schools with a Graduation Success Rate (GSR) of 89 percent for all student-athletes in 2014, a mark that is seven points better than the national average. A school record 81 Huskie student-athletes were named Academic All-MAC last year, 31 received the MAC's Distinguished Scholar-Award and three earned Academic All-America honors. The cumulative GPA of Huskie student-athletes improved to 3.19 overall.

Since his arrival at NIU, Frazier has been firmly committed to Huskie Athletics' future with a particular focus on improved facilities to remain competitive on a national level. In 2014-15, two major announcements provided a road map. In October, Frazier presented the NIU Athletics Facilities Master Plan, the first facilities master plan for the department since 1991. During his tenure at NIU, he completed the installation of a new football turf field; on-campus indoor tennis practice courts; new and improved men's & women's soccer locker rooms; and unveiled a new basketball court and design. In May, he introduced a new departmental Strategic Plan, which detailed the mission, vision, core values and critical issues for the next three years.

Frazier brought four new head coaches to NIU in 2014-15 to lead the Huskie women's tennis, baseball, women's cross country and women's basketball programs. Frazier also has made football scheduling a top priority, signing home-and-home football agreements with San Diego State, BYU, Utah, Maryland, Tulsa, Vanderbilt, Boston College and South Florida.

In two years leading NIU Athletics, Frazier has worked tirelessly to engage the campus and local communities, expand the Huskies' fan base and connect with alumni across Chicagoland and beyond. He instituted the Huskie Summer Circuit, bringing coaches and staff to four sites throughout the region to meet and interact with fans while promoting NIU and Huskie Athletics.

After introducing the new Coaches Club at Huskie Stadium for 2014 to great reviews, NIU opened the new End Zone Club in 2015. Basketball's courtside seats have sold out for two years in a row and sales in the Convocation Center's premium area, the Nelson Club, continue to grow. Frazier also initiated "The Yard", the official pregame tailgate area for NIU football, which made its debut in 2014.

Fans have responded, as the Huskie Athletic Fund collected more than $1 million in cash gifts for the first time in 2014 and the annual fund grew by 24 percent. NIU also signed a new multimedia and sponsorship partnership with Learfield Sports, while the NIU Convocation Center, which became a part of Intercollegiate Athletics in 2013, attracted popular acts like Brad Paisley, Casting Crowns, Second City, and Monster Trucks to the area.

Frazier is the 11th permanent athletic director in NIU history and the first African-American to serve in the role. In 2014, he was honored with the Distinguished Service Award for his leadership in the Minority Opportunities Athletic Association (MOAA). Since arriving at NIU, he has assumed a leadership role on campus, serving on multiple committees, including as a co-chair of the Diversity and Inclusion Task Force.

University of Wisconsin (2007-2013)
A former football student-athlete at the University of Alabama, Frazier has 24 years of overall experience as a director of athletics at the NCAA Division I, II and III levels, as an administrator at two Division I universities, as a coach and as a student-athlete. Prior to NIU, Frazier spent six years in senior leadership roles at the University of Wisconsin and was promoted to deputy director of athletics in 2011, Frazier's duties grew to include managing all day-to-day internal and external operations for Badger Athletics and serving as UW's "Chief of Staff" to Director of Athletics Barry Alvarez.

Frazier oversaw all fundraising and advancement activities at UW, including the annual fund, major gifts, suites and club seats, endowments, multimedia rights, ticket operations and alumni affairs. During his tenure at Wisconsin, he served as the administrator for three revenue-producing sports (football, men's basketball and men's ice hockey), providing direct support to the football program that won three consecutive Big Ten Conference Championships. Along with three Rose Bowl appearances. Frazier also served as Chair of the NCAA Men's Ice Hockey Committee in 2011.

Frazier played a lead role in raising $123 million for multiple capital projects at UW, including a $31 million hockey/swim facility, an $86 million student-athlete performance center and a $3.5 million softball indoor practice facility.

Merrimack College, Clarkson University, Manhattanville College (1999-2007)
Prior to Wisconsin, Frazier served as Director of Athletics at Merrimack College in North Andover, Mass., was the Director of Athletics and Recreation at Clarkson University in Potsdam, N.Y. and led the athletics and recreation department at Division III Manhattanville College in Purchase, N.Y. His accomplishments in eight years as an athletic director ranged from negotiating television agreements, establishing departmental policies and procedures, revamping logos and branding, overseeing facility enhancements, increasing revenue streams by creating fundraising groups, adding sports programs and cultivating successful sports programs.

Coach and Administrator
Frazier began his administrative career at the University of Maine as an assistant football coach in 1995 and was soon tabbed as the athletic department's multicultural affairs liaison, where he created programs aimed at fostering diversity. He was named assistant to the athletic director in 1996 and became an assistant athletic director in 1998. In that role, he provided administrative support to Maine's 1999 National Championship men's ice hockey team.

A Long Island, N.Y. native, he played four years of college football at the University of Alabama from 1987-91 and was a member of the 1989 SEC Championship team. He has written numerous papers, presented on topics of diversity, leadership and hiring at national meetings and served on many NCAA committees.

Frazier earned his bachelor's degree in communication from Alabama, has a master's degree in higher education/educational leadership from the University of Maine and is pursuing a doctorate in educational leadership and policy analysis from the University of Wisconsin.

He and his wife, Rosa, an accomplished lawyer & law professor, have three children, daughters Marina and Marcella, and son Maximo.

Townie72 said:

I like the idea of Boeheim as AD. He is certainly smart enough and he knows the ropes.

But I keep thinking back to Joe Paterno as Penn State AD. He was a disaster.

Expand...

The least shocking thing I will hear all day

When I look at Jarmand, his age and experience, I don't see much difference from the guy that Coyle left behind.. John Cunningham. Seeing him in the background at all those stops on the no huddle tour makes me think you should add him to the list.

http://www.ktik.com/2015/06/20/way-too-early-names-to-replace-coyle/

John Cunningham-Boise State Senior Associate Athletic Director/External Operations

I see Cunningham as a Kustra hire and a quick fix. He came into Boise State the same month Bleymaier was fired and had to clean up the NCAA mess. Very tricky. When the NCAA sanctions went down in 2011, Kustra pulled all compliance into his office and Cunningham was selected to be the face man with the NCAA. He did it well. And, if Boise State slips one more time until September 16, 2016 , they are subject to a repeat violator ruling and then all hell will break loose. More power for JC. So, he has the compliance part down cold and that is very important to Kustra who has had his fill of NCAA attention. He recently got his feet wet with fund raising and has re-structured the booster organization with his hires. He is respected by the department coaches and well liked. Handles all of the basketball operations. A trained lawyer and a gun for hire on campus. Biggest weakness is he hasn’t hired any coaches.

http://www.cuse.com/news/2015/8/12/GEN_0812155759.aspx

SYRACUSE, N.Y. – John Cunningham is joining the Syracuse University Athletics Department staff as deputy athletics director for administration. An experienced collegiate athletics administrator, Cunningham most recently worked at Boise State University as the senior associate athletics director for external relations and executive director for NCAA Compliance. In his role as Boise's executive director for NCAA compliance, Cunningham was responsible for managing BSU's compliance efforts during a probationary period with the NCAA. Cunningham will work closely with current deputy athletics directors Herman Frazier and Kimberly Keenan-Kirkpatrick on director of athletics Mark Coyle's senior staff.

"John's strong background in NCAA compliance and athletics administration will enhance our department," Coyle said. "He has a broad-based experience in rules education from three different institutions which provides valuable perspective. John is a dynamic athletics administrator who will be a great addition to our team. We are thrilled to have John, his wife, Caitlin, and their sons, Gus and Hank, become part of the Syracuse family."

At Boise State, Cunningham was promoted to senior associate athletics director for external relations in 2014 after having led the NCAA Compliance program for three years. As the head of external relations, Cunningham led the operations of Boise State's development, marketing, media relations and ticket offices. He was also the sport administrator for men's basketball, men's and women's golf, and men's tennis.

Prior to his appointment at BSU, Cunningham worked at Texas Christian University for five years in the compliance field. He was hired by the Horned Frogs in 2006 as the assistant director of compliance and followed up a year later with a promotion to director of compliance. In 2011 he was promoted again to assistant athletics director for compliance. In that position, he was responsible for a comprehensive rules education program and provided rules interpretations for athletics staff, coaches, student-athletes and university officials.

Cunningham started his career in collegiate athletics as the compliance coordinator at the University of Maryland, where he was responsible for providing rules interpretations, tracking initial, and continuing and transfer eligibility of more than 700 student-athletes. While in law school, he was a compliance intern at Maryland for two summers.

A 2001 TCU graduate, Cunningham received a law degree from the University of Nebraska College of Law in 2005 and is a member of the Texas Bar Association

Having gotten to know John Cunningham over the past five months I would love to see him get the AD position at SU.

I don't think Cunningham or Manhertz are experienced enough. Manhertz has the development- but does he have any sport supervision experience? Cunningham has compliance, but how is he with business/fund-raising? Of course having a law degree is helpful in many of Syverud's hires. I think his connection to Coyle will hurt though.

Full_Rebar said:

I don't think Cunningham or Manhertz are experienced enough. Manhertz has the development- but does he have any sport supervision experience? Cunningham has compliance, but how is he with business/fund-raising? Of course having a law degree is helpful in many of Syverud's hires. I think his connection to Coyle will hurt though.

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"As the head of external relations, Cunningham led the operations of Boise State's development, marketing, media relations and ticket offices. He was also the sport administrator for men's basketball, men's and women's golf, and men's tennis."

I don't know if they have Cunningham handling the marketing at SU but the amount of mail and email I have received has gone up significantly. Plus marketing as a whole has been much improved.

CuseLegacy said:

When I look at Jarmand, his age and experience, I don't see much difference from the guy that Coyle left behind.. John Cunningham. Seeing him in the background at all those stops on the no huddle tour makes me think you should add him to the list.

http://www.ktik.com/2015/06/20/way-too-early-names-to-replace-coyle/

John Cunningham-Boise State Senior Associate Athletic Director/External Operations

I see Cunningham as a Kustra hire and a quick fix. He came into Boise State the same month Bleymaier was fired and had to clean up the NCAA mess. Very tricky. When the NCAA sanctions went down in 2011, Kustra pulled all compliance into his office and Cunningham was selected to be the face man with the NCAA. He did it well. And, if Boise State slips one more time until September 16, 2016 , they are subject to a repeat violator ruling and then all hell will break loose. More power for JC. So, he has the compliance part down cold and that is very important to Kustra who has had his fill of NCAA attention. He recently got his feet wet with fund raising and has re-structured the booster organization with his hires. He is respected by the department coaches and well liked. Handles all of the basketball operations. A trained lawyer and a gun for hire on campus. Biggest weakness is he hasn’t hired any coaches.

http://www.cuse.com/news/2015/8/12/GEN_0812155759.aspx

SYRACUSE, N.Y. – John Cunningham is joining the Syracuse University Athletics Department staff as deputy athletics director for administration. An experienced collegiate athletics administrator, Cunningham most recently worked at Boise State University as the senior associate athletics director for external relations and executive director for NCAA Compliance. In his role as Boise's executive director for NCAA compliance, Cunningham was responsible for managing BSU's compliance efforts during a probationary period with the NCAA. Cunningham will work closely with current deputy athletics directors Herman Frazier and Kimberly Keenan-Kirkpatrick on director of athletics Mark Coyle's senior staff.

"John's strong background in NCAA compliance and athletics administration will enhance our department," Coyle said. "He has a broad-based experience in rules education from three different institutions which provides valuable perspective. John is a dynamic athletics administrator who will be a great addition to our team. We are thrilled to have John, his wife, Caitlin, and their sons, Gus and Hank, become part of the Syracuse family."

At Boise State, Cunningham was promoted to senior associate athletics director for external relations in 2014 after having led the NCAA Compliance program for three years. As the head of external relations, Cunningham led the operations of Boise State's development, marketing, media relations and ticket offices. He was also the sport administrator for men's basketball, men's and women's golf, and men's tennis.

Prior to his appointment at BSU, Cunningham worked at Texas Christian University for five years in the compliance field. He was hired by the Horned Frogs in 2006 as the assistant director of compliance and followed up a year later with a promotion to director of compliance. In 2011 he was promoted again to assistant athletics director for compliance. In that position, he was responsible for a comprehensive rules education program and provided rules interpretations for athletics staff, coaches, student-athletes and university officials.

Cunningham started his career in collegiate athletics as the compliance coordinator at the University of Maryland, where he was responsible for providing rules interpretations, tracking initial, and continuing and transfer eligibility of more than 700 student-athletes. While in law school, he was a compliance intern at Maryland for two summers.

A 2001 TCU graduate, Cunningham received a law degree from the University of Nebraska College of Law in 2005 and is a member of the Texas Bar Association

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And as a bonus, Cunningham never chose to minor in something called 'Leadership Studies.' The Ohio State guy can't say that.

Maybe they could do better, but I'd give Cunningham the job if he wants it.

OttoMets said:

And as a bonus, Cunningham never chose to minor in something called 'Leadership Studies.' The Ohio State guy can't say that.

Maybe they could do better, but I'd give Cunningham the job if he wants it.

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I don't know a thing about Jarmond, but I do know that one of the best jobs in all of college athletics has to be at OSU. Especially during the Urban Meyer era. Not sure being a number 2 at a massive state school where they literally print money is the same as a NE private school AD. Different challenges, that need a unique touch. If the guy who is here now (Cunningham) works for Syverud, then I'm on board. I would see though if any current number 1's in the P5 are interested first. Probably not, but couldn't hurt. As others have suggested, Tim Pernetti wouldn't be a bad choice in my book.

The following were not finalists from last year. However, they are in the midst of the conversation so I thought posting their resumes would be pertinent. You may now look at each and peruse what they have to offer compared to the finalists. They are listed in no particular order. Since CuseLegacy has Cunningham’s up - there is nothing I can add:


Tim Pernetti

Athletic director

On April 1, 2009 Pernetti began work as the Director of Intercollegiate Athletics at Rutgers University as part of a five-year contract. In the role he oversaw 24 men's and women's sports, fundraising and development, a staff of more than 200 employees and also oversaw coaching searches and hires in men's and women's sports. Pernetti is credited with transforming the business at Rutgers and for record-breaking fundraising results in four years. During his tenure, Rutgers Athletics generated more than $100M in incremental revenue for the department. Pernetti is also credited with building the Rutgers Athletics brand, and creating more media visibility than ever before. Pernetti is credited with negotiating the agreement to bring Rutgers to the Big Ten Conference in 2014. For his efforts, Pernetti was named one of the five candidates for Sports Business Journal National Athletic Director of the Year.

Men's basketball controversy

Pernetti came under fire in April 2013 when a video surfaced showing men's basketball coach Mike Rice abusing his players during practice. The video showed Rice throwing basketballs at players, including at their heads, kicking players, and calling players homophobic slurs.[3] When Pernetti was made aware of Rice's behavior at team practices, he opted to suspend Rice for 3 games, fine him $50,000, and require that he complete anger management courses.[4] However, Pernetti chose not to fire Rice, and the reasons behind the discipline were not made public. After ESPN's Outside the Lines aired the video on April 2, 2013, many expressed their disbelief on blogs[5] and on Twitter that Rice had not been fired and that Pernetti should now be fired for his leniency toward Rice, whom Pernetti had hired as one of his first major acts as Rutgers AD.[6] When school president Robert Barchi saw the video for the first time on the night of April 2 (though he had signed off on the decision to suspend Rice in November), he called in Pernetti and told him that Rice had to leave immediately. Rice was fired the next day.[7] On April 3, Barchi told Pernetti that he also had to go, and gave him the option of either resigning or being fired. After two days of negotiations, Pernetti resigned on April 5.[8]

Joe Manhertz

Joe Manhertz joined the Duke Athletics Department in September 2010 and serves as the Assistant Athletic Director/Executive Director of Iron Dukes Major gifts. Since his arrival, Duke Athletics has secured over $254 million toward Duke University’s $3.25 billion Duke Forward Campaign.

Manhertz created and launched the Athletics Major Gift office with emphasis on philanthropy, managing a team of development officers while overseeing their day-to-day development and solicitation efforts. He is responsible for planning and directing the comprehensive campaign for athletics (Building Champions), which includes upgrades to Brooks Field at Wallace Wade Stadium, Cameron Indoor Stadium, Koskinen Stadium and Morris Williams Track and Field Stadium and creating scholarships and endowments. Additionally, Manhertz has oversight of the premium seating for the new Blue Devil Tower at Brooks Field at Wallace Wade Stadium and revenue generating donor events surrounding home football and basketball games. He also serves as a sport administrator for the baseball and men’s and women’s track and field teams. Manhertz came to Durham after working the previous three years as the Director of Development at The Ohio State University. He also held development posts at Syracuse University and Hamilton College.

A 1996 graduate of Colgate University, Manhertz played both basketball and football. He earned a master's degree in sport management in 1998 from The Ohio State University.

Manhertz is a member of the inaugural class of the NCAA leadership institute and a NAADD conference representative. He has served on the board of It's about Childhood and Family Inc. and was an adjunct professor at SUNY Cortland for Sport Marketing and Sport Sponsorship.

Bump. Any updates on the AD search?

NJCuse97 said:

Bump. Any updates on the AD search?

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In speaking with people this past Saturday at SU Day at Yankee Stadium, no news at all.

Bill Orange said:

In speaking with people this past Saturday at SU Day at Yankee Stadium, no news at all.

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The new chancellor does a really good job keeping these kinds of things quiet.

I want Joe Manhertz

money3189 said:

I want Joe Manhertz

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I like Joe, but he's not AD material.

hoopsupstate said:

I like Joe, but he's not AD material.

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I will take your word. I have know idea of what makes a good AD. I played against Joe in high school. Thats the only reason why I said that. lol

money3189 said:

I want Joe Manhertz

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Joe works at Duke now.

He was in Syracuse a couple of weeks ago, playing in the Boys and Girls Club golf tournament at Calvary Club.

Thought it was a little odd. Do not remember him playing in it in recent years. Does it mean anything? Probably not. But I can say he was very well liked during his team at Syracuse, at least by people I know.

sutomcat said:

Joe works at Duke now.

He was in Syracuse a couple of weeks ago, playing in the Boys and Girls Club golf tournament at Calvary Club.

Thought it was a little odd. Do not remember him playing in it in recent years. Does it mean anything? Probably not. But I can say he was very well liked during his team at Syracuse, at least by people I know.

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Kent Syverud was in Syracuse a couple years ago to talk to my administrative law class about his role handling the trust to pay people damaged by the Deepwater Horizon spill (does that sound dry? it was much drier than it sounds). Didn't mean anything at the time...until a few months later, when it suddenly meant something.

So it's not crazy to infer something from that guy's presence at the golf tournament.