Message from President Katherine A. Rowe: Athletic Director Search

by Katherine A. Rowe | March 15, 2021

Dear faculty, staff, and students,

I write to share next steps for the leadership of William & Mary Athletics. We will move forward this spring with a national search for William & Mary’s next Director of Athletics. Interim Director Jeremy Martin and VP for University Advancement Matthew Lambert will co-chair the committee. I am grateful that they have agreed to lead this important search.

With Dr. Martin’s outstanding leadership, together with the Athletics Department staff and coaches, and with the staunch support of alumni, William & Mary is now in a stronger position to make progress on our most significant challenges: ensuring equity, financial sustainability, competitive success and community building for all sports programs. Looking forward, NCAA Division I mid-majors will face many transformations over the next three-five years: student Name Image Likeness agreements, transfer freedom, betting on college sports, “Bill of Rights'' movements, increased regionalization, and more. William & Mary will benefit greatly from the guidance of a senior leader with deep knowledge of this complex Division I landscape, as we sustain our commitments to our exceptional scholar-athletes, through these transformations.

The search committee’s membership broadly represents W&M Athletics staff, faculty, students, members of the Board of Visitors, the William & Mary Foundation, and Tribe Club, alumni of many generations – as well as senior leadership at W&M. All bring diverse expertise and a passion for Division I college athletics. The search will be conducted internally, with focused support from Craig Littlepage and Collegiate Sports Associates, to ensure a broad field of outstanding candidates.

We anticipate completing the search by late spring, with the aim of a July 1, 2021 start date for the new Athletics Director. Dr. Martin will serve as Interim Director until then, fully supporting this transition. Going forward, he will continue to work closely with the new AD and the department, in his capacity as the President’s Chief of Staff – building on the strong relationships he has developed, on behalf of W&M Athletics and the university.

I have heard from so many in our community kind commendations for the terrific job Dr. Martin has done, in the role of Interim Director. I share that warm appreciation. He has fulfilled his charge with dedication, skill and patience. I am very grateful for his willingness to serve at a critical time and for his strong leadership. He believes, and I agree, that sufficient progress has been made to launch a search so that he can return to his Chief of Staff position. I am delighted that he will be re-engaging in that important role.

The position profile will be posted in the next week or so, after it is finalized by the search committee. Drs. Martin and Lambert will keep the W&M community apprised of the progress of the search. The key tasks identified for the next director are noted on the search website, together with search committee members. The committee welcomes your comments, insights and referrals at ADSearch@wm.edu.

Best regards,

Katherine

Katherine A. Rowe
President