UConn Names New Athletics Director

STORRS, CT - The University of Connecticut has selected a new Athletics Director —David Benedict, who is the Chief Operating Officer for the athletics department at Auburn University, and he is scheduled to be formally introduced at the Storrs campus on Tuesday.

The university made the announcement Monday night and in a statement said, "Benedict brings to UConn a national reputation in athletic administration focused on student-athlete success in competition and academically, long-range strategic planning, donor development and fundraising, and sound fiscal management."

Benedict previously served as Deputy Athletic Director at Minnesota (2012-14) and in leadership positions at Virginia Commonwealth (2010-12), Long Beach State (2007-10), and Arizona State (1996-2006).

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In a statement UConn President Susan Herbst said, “We make this announcement with excitement, pride, and tremendous optimism about the future.” Herbst also said, “Today’s AD must have the sophistication to manage and closely oversee finance, marketing, media contracts, fundraising, and fan engagement, among many other things. And these responsibilities are all secondary to the traditional responsibilities of utmost import: taking care of our student-athletes, supporting their academic success, and making sure that our coaches have what they need to compete successfully."

She added, “We sought a leader whose grasp of the national landscape and relentless pursuit of excellence would be second-to-none. I am very happy to say that we found exactly what we were looking for in David Benedict.”

Benedict will succeed Warde Manuel who announced in late January that he was headed to the University of Michigan. At the time, Herbst said that her chief of staff, Rachel Rubin, would serve as interim AD.

Benedict said in a statement released by the university, “I am very excited to join UConn Nation as its Director of Athletics and am very grateful to President Herbst, Board of Trustees Chairman Larry McHugh, and the entire Board of Trustees and Search Committee. The success of UConn from both an academic and athletic perspective is known around the country. UConn wins national championships and plays in bowl games, and I wanted to be part of an elite program like this. I look forward to getting to know all of our coaches, student-athletes, and administrators. My family and I can’t wait to be part of this special university!”

Benedict and his wife Lisa, have 13-year old twin boys – Jake and Sam. She was a four-time gymnastics All-American and two-time NCAA champion at Arizona State and is a volunteer assistant coach for the Auburn women’s gymnastics team, which is ranked No. 8 nationally.

The complete announcement can be found here.

Photo: David Benedict. Credit: UConn Football via Twitter.