” Luis Proenza announced Tom Wistrcill, 39, as the new director of athletics for the University of Akron on August 25 at a news conference at Rhodes Arena. Wistrcill, who was the senior associate director of athletics for external relations at the University of Minnesota before becoming director of athletics to the University of Akron, said that he is excited to be in Akron.”
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Luis Proenza announced Tom Wistrcill, 39, as the new director of athletics for the University of Akron on August 25 at a news conference at Rhodes Arena.

Wistrcill, who was the senior associate director of athletics for external relations at the University of Minnesota before becoming director of athletics to the University of Akron, said that he is excited to be in Akron.

This is an important time to come to the University of Akron, he explained.

He went on to tell the crowd that he checked out a few games and practices on campus early one morning and enjoyed the energy that he saw.

I tried to break into the stadium, but security caught me, he joked.

Wistrcill had been at the University of Minnesota since 2006 and has experience in marketing, sales, media relations and management.

He also served as commissioner of two NCAA Division II conferences. These were the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference and the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference. He served from 1994-2000.

When asked what one of his roles was in the building of the new stadium, Wistrcill replied that he assisted in raising money for it.

He added that being able to participate in the completion of the new stadium was incredibly rewarding.

Proenza spoke highly of the new director of athletics.

His commitment to excellence, tremendous enthusiasm and passion will ensure success for all of our student athletes, he proclaimed.

Wistrcill expressed his excitement to be in Akron, as well.

I promise to bring my passion and vision for success, he said.

He went on to say that the new stadium needs to be more than simply a football stadium.

It needs to be a rallying point for what happens in the community of Akron, as well as Northeastern Ohio, he said.

Wistrcill had advice to the student athletes present at the news conference.

He told them to first, to graduate. He explained that it can be hectic to maintain schoolwork while being an athlete and that he has seen too many student athletes not make it to graduation.

Second, he continued, have a positive and meaningful athletic experience.

He replaced Mack Rhoades, the University’s former athletic director. Rhoades is now the athletic director at the University of Houston.

Call assitant editor Bonnie Blum:

330-972-7362

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https://www.buchtelite.com

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