Longtime Wright State Athletic Director Michael Cusack named interim AD at NKU

Replaces Scott Eaton, who was terminated March 18

HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. (April 5, 2013) — Michael J. Cusack, former Wright State University director of athletics, will serve as interim athletic director at Northern Kentucky University, effective April 15.

Cusack served as Wright State AD from 1982 through 2008. He led a period of dramatic growth and transition for Raider athletics. He managed the school’s reclassification from NCAA Division II to Division I in 1987 and its move to the Mid-Continent Conference in 1990 and to the Horizon League in 1994. He also oversaw construction of the Nutter Center, the Setzer Pavillion/Mills Morgan Center training facility, the Alumni Soccer Field, Nischwitz Baseball Stadium, WSU Softball Field and the Raider Tennis Courts.

In 2008, he was awarded the Gary Cunningham Lifetime Achievement Award, which is presented annually by the Division I-AAA Athletic Directors’ Association to individuals who, for a minimum of 15 years as a director of athletics and 25 years in total, have contributed to intercollegiate athletics in such a manner as to bring honor to themselves, their institutions and the profession as a whole.

“We are excited to welcome Mike to the NKU athletics family,” said Geoffrey S. Mearns, NKU president. “His breadth and depth of experience leading a Division I program – one that successfully transitioned from Division II – will be invaluable as we continue our own reclassification.”

Cusack said he had been planning to spend his summer working on his golf game, but he was intrigued when the NKU athletic director position unexpectedly opened two weeks ago.

“I hadn’t really thought much about it,” he said, “but once I met with President Mearns and really saw what was happening at NKU, I became interested. The program has done so well thus far in the transition [to NCAA Division I], I thought maybe I could help in the period between athletic directors so that the forward momentum can continue.”

Cusack will replace Scott Eaton, who was terminated March 18. NKU VP for University Advancement Gerard St. Amand will continue to serve as acting athletic director until Cusack’s arrival.