Rutgers Introduces Julie Hermann as New AD

A woman is now at the helm of the Rutgers University athletics department for the first time in Rutgers history, following the hiring of new AD Julie Hermann.

Hermann was introduced to the public on Wednesday at a press conference at the Rutgers Visitor Center. She comes from the University of Louisville, where she served as the executive senior associate director of athletics under acclaimed AD Tom Jurich.

According to a press release from Rutgers, Hermann brings 30 years of experience to the position, supervising 20 sports at Louisville and supervising the department while the university won the 2013 NCAA men’s basketball national championship and two BCS Bowls and went to the NCAA women’s basketball national championship in 2009 and 2013.

Before her time at Louisville, she was an assistant coach for USA Volleyball, and head women's volleyball coach at the University of Tennessee, guiding both teams to national competitions, according to the release.

Hermann is also the immediate past president of the National Association of Collegiate Women Athletics Administrators and former chair of the NCAA Division I Women’s Volleyball Committee, according to the release.

Hermann steps into the shoes of former athletic director Tim Pernetti, who resigned from Rutgers last month during a scandal involving head basketball coach Mike Rice.

As the lead in the recovery of the Rutgers athletics department, Hermann said the healing begins with the coaches, who dealt with the brunt of the fall out, and then the Rutgers community and its donors.

"What I can do is share the mission of what we believe," she said.

Hermann said she would be partaking in a "listening tour" to meet with donors and stakeholders.

Hermann said her decision to leave Rutgers "had to be an interesting fit."

"(Based on) what I believe Rutgers is capable of in athletics, everything wrapped around this incredible athletic department, it's an opportunity I don't want to miss," she said.

Hermann, 49, will be paid a salary of $450,000 and will be eligible for annual performance bonuses of up to $50,000, according to the release.

Her first day on the job is June 17.