3:06 p.m., May 11, 2009----Bernard Muir will be the University of Delaware's new director of athletics and recreation services, President Patrick Harker announced during a press conference held Monday, May 11, at the Bob Carpenter Center.

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Muir, a former collegiate athlete, will begin his duties on Monday, July 6. He has served as director of athletics (Francis X. Rienzo Chair) at Georgetown University of the Big East Conference since 2005.

"Following the retirement of Edgar Johnson, who led the Blue Hen athletics program during his 25-year tenure, UD undertook a national search for a new leader who has the vision, experience and character to help us reach a new level of excellence in athletic competition and academic success," stated Harker. He continued, “Bernard continues a proud legacy as only the fourth person to hold this position at Delaware since 1940. He comes to the University of Delaware with more than 20 years of athletic administration experience at some of the leading universities in this country.”

Harker said Muir brings expertise and a record of success at external cultivation and fundraising, fiscal and budget management, strategic planning, university relations, NCAA compliance, sport management, facilities management and event management.

“I commend the thorough process conducted by our search committee that included Dave Brond, Bonnie Kenny, Joe McGrail, Matt Robinson and Monica Taylor. They reviewed the credentials of 57 candidates and I truly believe that Bernard is ready to work with our coaches and our athletics, recreation, and academic support staffs to further the tradition of excellence established by our student-athletes on the field and in the classroom,” stated Harker.

Mike Brey, a 2007 inductee to UD's Athletics Hall of Fame and former men's basketball head coach from 1995 to 2000, issued this statement: “The University of Delaware holds a very special spot in my heart and I am thrilled that the University was able to land Bernard Muir as its athletic director. I worked closely with him when he was here at Notre Dame and it's a grand slam for the school to have Bernard and his family come into the state of Delaware. He is the total package.”

"I am excited about the opportunity to be a part of the University of Delaware's future and about this position both personally and professionally,” said Muir. “I want to thank Dr. Harker and the search committee. I am both grateful and humbled by the confidence they have shown in me."

"The hiring of Bernard Muir is a real coup for Delaware as he is one of the outstanding young athletic directors in the country,” said Colonial Athletic Association Commissioner Tom Yeager. “He arrives with impeccable credentials, energy, and vision for the future to build on the outstanding foundation of Delaware's athletic programs."

Muir, 40, a native of Gainesville, Fla., said he was attracted to the University of Delaware after learning more about the leadership, direction and progressiveness of the University.

“Dr. Harker, the University, and I all agree that the mission and vision of any university should be student-centered while developing global citizens who will be lifelong learners and leaders in our society,” he said, adding, “In addition, Blue Hen athletics is a tremendous source of pride and passion for the people of Delaware. I look forward to working with the entire University of Delaware community to create the ideal environment for our student-athletes to succeed both academically and athletically.”

Before joining the athletics administration at Georgetown, Muir served as deputy director of athletics/administration and facilities at the University of Notre Dame from 2004-2005. He also served at Notre Dame as senior associate athletic director for student welfare and development from 2003-2004 and as associate athletic director for student welfare and development from 2000-2003.

Muir worked for the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) from 1998-2000 as director of operations for the Division I men's national basketball championship and from 1992-1998 as assistant director of the Division I men's national basketball championship. He began his career in athletics administration as an athletic administrative assistant at Butler University in 1990, and subsequently held positions with Auburn University and Streetball Partners International of Dallas.

In 2007 Muir was named to Street & Smith's Sports Business Journal's “Top 40 Under 40.”

Muir earned a bachelor's degree in organizational behavior and management from Brown University in 1990 and a master's in sports administration from Ohio University in 1992. As an undergraduate at Brown University he was a four-year letter winner and co-captain of the men's basketball team his senior year.

Muir and his wife Liz have two daughters, Libby and Millie. Liz is a former NCAA membership services representative.

“The focus of athletics and recreation services should be on student-athletes and a positive student-athlete experience, one that starts with academic success culminating with graduation. It also encompasses athletic success that not only includes being competitive within our conference but contending for postseason consideration,” Muir said. “A positive student-athlete experience also includes personal, social, and civic development and responsibility."

Muir said he will be meeting with the head coaches and staff to set the course and direction of the department.

He said he wants “to ensure that intercollegiate athletics and recreation services are an integral part of the University, promoting the University's Path to Prominence through the engagement of students, faculty, staff, and community.

“In addition,” he said, “it is important that we actively reach out to the entire UD community with a renewed emphasis on our former student-athletes. I am looking forward to visiting with our alumni and former student-athletes about the future of Blue Hen athletics.”

"I am grateful for the contributions that Bernard Muir has made to Georgetown athletics during his tenure as director of athletics,” said Georgetown University President John J. DeGioia. “At Georgetown Bernard has recruited outstanding new coaches and bolstered academic support and leadership development opportunities for our student athletes I appreciate Bernard's collegiality and work with many members of not only our campus community but also senior colleagues in the NCAA, Big East and Patriot League. I am proud that our 29 women's and men's athletics programs represented Georgetown with integrity and commitment during Bernard's tenure and wish him every success in his new role at the University of Delaware."

Article by Scott Selheimer
Photo by Doug Baker