Contract extended for University of Toledo athletics director; now VP

The University of Toledo will continue to have a familiar face leading its Athletic Department for the next several years, while elevating the role to a vice presidency.

UT President Lloyd Jacobs announced today that Mike O’Brien, director of athletics, has received a new four-year contract and will be elevated to vice president and director of athletics. The extension runs through July 31, 2014.

“The landscape of Rocket athletics has changed significantly for the better under Mike O’Brien’s leadership,” said Jacobs. “As the architect of numerous positive and transformational efforts, we are thrilled that he will be with us for many years to come.”

During his tenure at UT, O’Brien has helped to foster record academic achievement among student-athletes, brought about the renovation of John F. Savage Arena/Charles A. Sullivan Athletic Complex, oversaw the construction of the soon-to-open Fetterman Training Center, hired top-tier new coaches in several key programs, and gained a track record of significant success in fundraising.

“The profile of UT’s athletic program has risen to new heights with Mike O’Brien at the helm,” added Jacobs. “Not only are we enjoying new facilities and marquee opponents thanks to his efforts, he’s also placed a new emphasis on the academic achievement that is critical to the success of our student-athletes.”

“We are thankful for the opportunity Dr. Jacobs, the Board of Trustees and the senior administration of Toledo have given us and the support they have shown to The University of Toledo athletics program,” said O’Brien. “The staff and coaches at Toledo have been tremendous to work with. In my seven years I have been fortunate to be around student-athletes who have been successful academically, while competing at a high level and conducting themselves in a positive manner in the community. The number of alumni, donors and fans who have responded to the performances of our coaches and student-athletes has been outstanding.”

“We have a lot of work to do as we continue to improve the Rockets athletics program,” added O’Brien, “but due to the efforts of many, progress has been made. We look forward to continued success in the classroom and on the playing fields with our Rocket student-athletes.”

Biographical information:

Mike O’Brien assumed the position as The University of Toledo’s 13th athletic director Jan. 22, 2002. Since that time, the Rockets have won or shared MAC titles in football, men’s basketball, women’s basketball, women’s cross country, men’s golf and women’s soccer. In that same span, UT has made three bowl appearances in football and two NIT appearances in men’s basketball. In addition, women’s soccer advanced to the NCAA Tournament in 2006, 2007 and 2008, while men’s golf competed in the NCAA Championships in 2002 and 2004. UT women have qualified for the NCAA Championships in either track or cross country a total of 10 times and made All-America six times since 2002.

In the classroom, UT has produced overall department grade-point averages of above a 3.0 in six of the last eight semesters. In the 2009 spring semester, UT student-athletes achieved a combined GPA of 3.159, the highest in school history. More than one-third of student-athletes received at least a 3.5 GPA, with more than half earning a 3.0+ GPA, the 11th consecutive semester above the 50 percent mark.

O’Brien also has helped lay the foundation for future success for the department. He secured significant funding for the Athletic Department’s capital campaign for the new Charles A. Sullivan Athletics Complex and Savage Arena renovation project, including a $5 million gift from Chuck and Jackie Sullivan. The $30 million facility, which debuted Dec. 3, 2008, can rightfully claim to be one of the premier basketball arenas of its kind in the country.

O’Brien previously secured funding for the renovation for the outdoor track, tennis courts and soccer field. The soccer field project was completed in 2004, while the tennis courts and track were completed in 2006.

Among O’Brien’s other accomplishments are adding Ohio State, Colorado, Purdue, Arizona, Missouri, Navy, Fresno State, Boise State and Wyoming to the home football schedule; working with the Inverness Club to bring the 2009 NCAA Men’s Golf Championships to Toledo; and securing a multi-year deal with Learfield Sports to increase UT’s advertising revenue.

O’Brien recently completed a term as a member of the NCAA Division I Football Issues Committee, and is the current chair of the Mid-American Conference Athletic Director’s Committee. He is also the conference’s athletic director representative to the Bowl Championship Series.

For more information, contact Tobin J. Klinger, senior director of university communication, at 419.530.4279 or tobin.klinger@utoledo.edu, or Paul Helgren, assistant athletic director for media relations, at 419.530.4918 or paul.helgren@utoledo.edu.

Press Release Published on December 23, 2009