The Hoyas’ biggest fan is not an alumnus, but someone who just arrived on campus this summer.

Bernard Muir, Georgetown University’s new athletic director, is already making his presence felt on the Hilltop as he makes his rounds from varsity team practices to meet-and-greet events with students and administrators.

“I’m pretty impressed with how passionate people are about this place,” Muir said. “That was my impression going in, but now I’m really excited about just being here and seeing the student-athletes come back.”

Coaches and student-athletes alike have been just as delighted by Muir’s enthusiasm.

“He seems very approachable and involved,” said Annie Connor, a senior middle blocker on the volleyball team. “It’ll be easier for us because we recognize him and he recognizes us, because he’s around us and there’s more interaction between us.”

Besides attending several practices and scrimmages on campus, uir drove out to a women’s soccer practice in Germantown, d., last week, according to Head Coach Dave Nolan.

“He made a very good impression on my girls,” Nolan said. “It shows he has an interest.

He took the time out of his busy schedule to come out and see us out there.”

Muir said that he wants to speak to as many coaches and student-athletes as he can so that he can “really get a feel.” His attention has meant a lot to coaches and student-athletes on the Georgetown teams that feel overlooked as they quietly succeed.

“In the past, sometimes we haven’t really felt that people were that aware of us, and that was nice,” Coach Nolan said.

Muir said that his enthusiasm for Georgetown athletics comes from the student-athletes themselves.

“I can tell that folks are pretty excited about this place,” he said. “They were so excited about their programs, and being student-athletes at this institution, where academics and athletics are both held in high regard.”

Considering the compliments that Muir’s colleagues have awarded him, Muir’s genial first impression should come as no surprise.

“He’s great with people,” said John Heisler, an administrator at the University of Notre Dame who worked closely with Muir. “You always knew he was going to represent the department and himself in a first-class manner.”

But for all of the face time that Muir has had, he prefers to take a back seat to the student-athletes.

“I think if you look at any one of our sports, I think we have a great opportunity to tell a story,” he said. “Each of our student-athletes – your classmates – have a compelling story to tell. Especially, they’re managing, balancing the rigors of academic life here, a prestigious top-25 institution, and trying to compete at the highest level. That’s a tremendous story to tell.”

Muir is no stranger to the life of a student-athlete at an academically-focused school. He played basketball for four years at Brown University, and his former positions at Notre Dame allowed him to both interact with student-athletes and work on the operations of a major athletic department. With Hoya supporters’ long wish list of on-campus athletic facilities, uir’s experience will come in handy.

But perhaps Muir’s toughest test will be on Sept. 17, when Brown comes to play football in Georgetown’s new Multi-Sport Facility.

“I know what side of the fence I’m going to fall on,” Muir joked. “Granted, I loved my alma mater, but come the 17th, I know what side I’m on – I know what side I want to win, and hopefully we will be victorious.”