UPDATED: 3:44 p.m., May 12, 2009
Come July, Georgetown athletics will have someone new calling the shots.
Athletic Director Bernard Muir has decided to leave the Hilltop to take the same position at Delaware, University of Delaware President Patrick Harker announced yesterday afternoon.
“Bernard continues a proud legacy as the fourth person to hold this position at Delaware since 1940,” Harker said in a press release. “He comes to the University of Delaware with more than 20 years of athletic administration experience at some of the leading universities in the country.”
Indeed, Muir, 40, has held notable posts throughout his young administrative career, including one as the deputy director of athletics at Notre Dame and the director of operations for the NCAA Men’s Basketball championship. His decision to take the post as head of Delaware athletics comes after he learned more about the direction in which the university is going.
“Dr. Harker, the university and I all agree that the mission and vision of any university should be student-centered while developing global citizens who will be life-long learners and leaders in our society,” Muir said. “In addition, Blue Hen Athletics is a tremendous source of pride and passion for the people of Delaware. I look forward to working with the entire University of Delaware community to create the ideal environment for our student-athletes to succeed both academically and athletically.”
Muir has been Georgetown’s athletic director since 2005 and he will officially end his four-year stint when he takes over for the retired Edgar Johnson on July 6. The Gainesville, Fla., native’s move to Delaware, a Division I-AA school, will close the book on a tenure that saw significant improvements to the basketball and softball teams as well as the continued struggles of the football program.
Men’s basketball Head Coach John Thompson III commented on Muir’s approach to enhancing the university’s athletics.
“His energy and enthusiasm will be missed here at Georgetown,” Thompson said in a statement. “On a personal level, I will miss working with him. He is intelligent, insightful and always has the well-being of the student-athlete at his forefront.”
University President John J. DeGioia is also thankful for Muir’s service to the school’s athletic administration.
“I am grateful for the contributions that Bernard Muir has made to Georgetown Athletics during his tenure as director of athletics,” DeGioia said in a statement. “At Georgetown, Bernard has recruited outstanding new coaches and bolstered academic support and leadership-development opportunities for our student-athletes. I appreciate Bernard’s collegiality and work with many members of not only our campus community but also senior colleagues in the NCAA, Big East and Patriot League. I am proud that our 29 women’s and men’s athletics programs represented Georgetown with integrity and commitment during Bernard’s tenure and wish him every success in his new role at the University of Delaware.”
No announcement has been made on possible candidates for the position of interim athletic director.
Stay logged on to www.thehoya.com for continuing coverage of Muir’s decision to leave Georgetown and for any news on his potential replacement.
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