University Director of Athletics

Description

The Director of Athletics provides administrative direction and oversight for intercollegiate athletics staff, programs, facilities, and activities. The Director of Athletics is responsible for overseeing the University athletic program including planning, implementing, and directing all administrative activities, budgeting, hiring and development of all coaches and athletics staff; strategic planning; and monitoring the university’s intercollegiate athletic programs; administering departmental funds and accounts in a fiscally responsible manner; and sustaining a culture of sportsmanship, professionalism, and respect at all levels. The Director of Athletics of Lourdes University is responsible for overseeing the operations of 21 athletics teams, ensuring the competitive and academic success and safety of over 350 student-athletes, and meeting the requirements of National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference (WHAC), and Sooner Athletic Conference (SAC)(men’s wrestling) regulations. The Director of Athletics oversees program recruiting; focuses on retention by providing an outstanding student-athlete experience and counseling students appropriately on academic and other issues; enhances the physical, mental, religious, and social development of the student-athletes through rigorous practices, appropriate competition and off-field activities including community service; and provides a connection point for the campus, alumni, and Northwest Ohio community to the university. 

BACKGROUND: 

The Gray Wolves’ athletics program began during the 2010–2011 school year with four sports: women’s volleyball, men’s basketball, men’s golf, and women’s golf. Since then, Lourdes has expanded to 21 varsity athletic programs as of the 2024–2025 academic year, including the addition of women’s flag football, an emerging sport set to begin competition in spring 2027. 

As Lourdes concludes its 15th season of intercollegiate athletics in 2024–25, the Gray Wolves have built a strong tradition of success. Men’s Basketball has made six NAIA National Championship appearances (2012, 2013, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025), while Women’s Basketball earned its first-ever national tournament berth in 2025 after capturing the WHAC Tournament title. Women’s Volleyball reached the NAIA Women’s Volleyball Championship four times, including pool play finishes in 2016 and 2017. The Softball team qualified for the national opening round in 2016, and Men’s Volleyball has appeared in six national tournaments (2014, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2021). The Competitive Cheer program made its fifth national appearance in 2025 and won the WHAC Tournament title for the first time since 2018. Men’s Lacrosse competed in the NAIA Invitational in 2016 and 2017.

Lourdes has also continued to shine in wrestling. Men’s Wrestling has qualified for the NAIA National Championships eight straight years (2018–2025), while Women’s Wrestling has appeared at nationals three consecutive years (2023–2025), highlighted by Stefana Jelacic’s back-to-back national titles in 2024 and 2025.

Lourdes student-athletes have earned numerous national honors, including multiple NAIA All-America selections in men’s volleyball, wrestling, cheer, and women’s wrestling. The Gray Wolves have also been recognized for their work in the classroom, producing several CSC (formerly CoSIDA) Academic All-District honorees and maintaining an overall athletic GPA above 3.0 for nine consecutive years.

PRIMARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: 

1. Oversee the operation of Lourdes University’s intercollegiate athletic program. (25% of time)

a. Must be results-oriented and demonstrate a commitment to the university and department missions.

b. Coordinate, update and implement strategic planning process for athletics.

c. Be committed to the development of the whole student: mind, body, and spirit.

d. Ensure the program rewards student academic success, retention, and graduation, along with success on the field.

e. Work to enhance the student-athlete experience, including developing strategies for student-athlete input into the experience.

f. Regularly attend athletic contests.

2. Oversee the recruitment and retention of student-athletes to meet roster expectations. (15% of time)

a. Recommend team squad sizes and manage overall athletic recruitment process.

b. Oversee the recruitment of student athletes in coordination with the Admissions Office.

c. Enhance the recruiting process for coaching staff.

d. Conduct student-athlete surveys to assess the student-athlete experience.

3. Supervise athletics facilities and team travel. (10% of time)

a. Implement a monitoring and reporting program for assessing student-athlete course performance.

b. Coordinate use with on-campus and off-campus groups.

c. Coordinate use of facilities and other off-campus facility use.

d. Advance the master plan for the development of athletics facilities.

e. Coordinate team travel for athletics teams, including leasing and/or renting vehicles.

4. Coordinate the preparation of the Athletics Department budget and then monitor its implementation. (15% of time)

a. Approve schedules and contracts for all contests.

b. Approve all purchase orders, check requests, expense reports, and travel arrangements.

c. Oversee the department’s office procedures and work.

5. Hire, mentor, guide and evaluate coaching and athletics staff. (15% of time)

a. Oversee the Head Athletic Trainer and athletic administrative staff, including game management, marketing, attendance promotion, and half-time games/entertainment.

b. Oversee the Sports Information Director’s role and duties as assigned.

c. Coordinate or delegate the search process for open positions in the athletics department.

d. Create consistent policies and procedures for the hiring and retention of Graduate Assistants.

6. Comply with all rules and regulations set forth by the NAIA, WHAC/SAC, and Lourdes University. (10% of time)

a. Evaluate, approve and submit, in cooperation with the Faculty Athletic Representative, eligibility forms of all student athletes to the eligibility chair.  

b. Correspond with the NAIA on any special eligibility cases, such as hardships and other pertinent concerns.

c. Support the NAIA’s life skills and anti-drug education program.

d. Represent the institution within the NAIA and WHAC/SAC governance structure.

7. Serve as the Athletics Department’s main liaison with various constituents. (10% of time)

a. Coordinate friend/fundraising outreach for the athletic department with the Advancement Office and participate in the university’s annual and capital campaign projects in coordination with the Advancement Office.

b. Use the gameday experience to build community connections while developing and fostering strong community relationships.

c. Oversee the planning and implementation of the annual athletics department fundraising events.

d. Secure sponsorship for various athletics events, programs and facilities.

e. Coordinate with the Alumni Office to develop alumni athletics events.

f. Collaborate with university marketing and PR relations in the preparation of press releases and the arrangement of media coverage for events not handled by the SID.

8. Other Duties.

a. Ensure that the University remains in compliance with Title IX requirements. (1% of time)

b. Serve on committees as appointed by the President. (3% of time)

Represent the university at professional meetings and other special or public events as requested. (1% of time)Perform other appropriate and reasonably required duties as assigned by the job’s supervisor 

Requirements

SKILLS AND ABILITIES

1. Proven ability to manage multiple priorities in a dynamic, fast-paced work environment.

2. Detailed knowledge of NAIA rules and regulations governing recruitment, player eligibility and related functions is required.

3. Successful managerial experience and providing effective feedback.

4. Must be able to work under pressure and meet deadlines, while maintaining a positive attitude and providing exemplary customer service.

5. Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including ability to effectively communicate with internal and external customers.

6. Exceptional leadership and flexibility; be a servant leader.

7. Understanding of the process of building and earning philanthropic support for the athletics department.

8. Ability to resolve issues expediently and creatively.

9. Ability to effectively collaborate with effective consensus-building skills.

10. Ability to interpret, prioritize, and advocate for the strategic needs of the athletics department.

NOTICE OF SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

1. Unless exempt due to an employment contract signed by the President of the university, all employees of Lourdes University are considered “at-will” employees.

2. All employees of Lourdes University are “responsible employees” pertaining to Title IX regulations concerning both the prevention and reporting of sexual assault or harassment. As such, all employees must communicate with the Title IX Coordinator if they witness or hear about a sexual assault or harassment situation.

Lourdes University is an equal opportunity employer and complies with EEOC and ADA employment requirements. It is and has been the policy of Lourdes University to grant equal opportunity to all qualified persons without unlawful discrimination based on race, color, gender, age, national origin, ancestry, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, religion, or veteran status. To fulfill its mission as a Christian institution, preference in hiring shall be given to persons who can affirm the Institution’s mission. 

QUALIFICATIONS 

1. Education: Bachelor’s degree required, master’s degree preferred 

2. Must have a valid Driver’s License 

3. Work Experience: Five to 10 years coaching or administrative experience with collegiate-level athletic programs.

4. Experience developing and implementing multi-faceted assessment plans in athletics or related area.

5. Familiarity with NIAA athletics; Preferred: Five years of senior leadership as an athletics director or equivalent.

6. Other: The scope of the position frequently requires weekend and evening work and requires overnight and/or out-of-town travel.