Warde Manuel named U-Michigan director of intercollegiate athletics

January 29, 2016
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ANN ARBOR—Warde Manuel has been named the Donald R. Shepherd Director of Athletics at the University of Michigan. The appointment was announced today (Jan. 29) by U-M President Mark Schlissel.

Manuel, a U-M alumnus who played football under Bo Schembechler, is currently the director of athletics at the University of Connecticut. The five-year appointment will be effective March 14.

“Athletics plays a key role in the U-M community and beyond. It is a front door to the many activities and values of our community,” Schlissel said. “Warde Manuel knows how to succeed in the classroom, compete on the field and positively contribute to the social fabric of a vibrant university.”

The University of Michigan president Mark Schlissel introduces new athletic director Warde Manuel during a press conference at the Michigan Union on Jan. 29, 2016. Image credit: Michigan PhotographyThe University of Michigan president Mark Schlissel introduces new athletic director Warde Manuel during a press conference at the Michigan Union on Jan. 29, 2016. Image credit: Michigan PhotographyThe announcement makes Manuel Michigan’s 12th athletic director in 150 years of intercollegiate athletics at the university. U-M has 31 teams and more than 900 student athletes.

“I am honored to have been selected to serve Michigan as the Donald R. Shepherd Director of Athletics by President Schlissel,” Manuel said. “I look forward to working with all the student-athletes, coaches, staff, faculty, students, donors and fans to continue the Michigan tradition of being “Leaders and Best.”

The AD reports directly to the president and serves as a member of the university’s executive leadership team. The self-supporting department has an annual budget of $151 million and a staff of 350.

The university announced its national search for a new AD in December 2015. Schlissel led the search with the support of a small advisory group. Turnkey Search, a subsidiary of Turnkey Sports and Entertainment, assisted with the search.

Jim Hackett, the retired CEO of Steelcase Inc., has served as interim AD since October 2014 and will continue until Manuel arrives on campus. Schlissel acknowledged Hackett for his leadership, including his service on the search advisory group.

“I want to thank Jim Hackett for his exemplary service to Michigan,” Schlissel said. “He accomplished so much in a short time, serving with a level of distinction and integrity befitting the University of Michigan’s highest values.”

Warde Manuel during a press conference at the Michigan Union on Jan. 29, 2016. Image credit: Michigan PhotographyManuel became the director of athletics at the University of Connecticut in 2012. UConn teams have won six NCAA national championships under Manuel’s leadership—the most ever by UConn teams in a three-year period. In 2014, UConn’s three national championship teams (field hockey and men’s and women’s basketball) all posted perfect 1,000 single-year scores in the NCAA’s Academic Progress Rate. This past year, in 2015, 13 UConn teams posted perfect single-year scores. In 2015, Manuel was also named NACDA Under Armour Athletic Director of the Year.

Prior to arriving in Connecticut, he led a 20-sport program at the State University of New York (SUNY) at Buffalo from 2005 through 2012. During his tenure, the Buffalo Bulls experienced an unparalleled period of success from an athletic, academic and community service perspective.

Manuel was honored by Sports Business Journal as a 2008 national “40-Under-40” honoree after receiving the same honor from Business First of Buffalo in fall of 2007. Manuel has served on a number of national and athletic conference committees and boards.

Warde Manuel. Image courtesy University of ConnecticutIn 2007, he accepted the Opportunity Award when the University at Buffalo was recognized by the Women’s Sports Foundation as one of four “standout” colleges and universities in the nation for outstanding achievement in providing equitable athletic opportunities for its female student-athletes.

Born May 22, 1968, Manuel is a native of New Orleans, who was a high school All-American football player and played for U-M under Schembechler. He earned multiple letters and started at defensive end in his sophomore year.

His football career was cut short by a neck injury and he subsequently earned two letters on the Wolverines’ track and field team.

Manuel earned his bachelor of general studies with a focus in psychology in 1990, his master’s degree in social work from U-M in 1993 and an MBA from U-M’s Stephen M. Ross School of Business in 2005.

After graduating from U-M, he was coordinator of U-M’s Wade H. McCree Jr., Incentive Scholars Program from 1990 to 1993. The program is a partnership with the Michigan Association of State Universities and Detroit Public Schools that helps students prepare for higher education at public universities in Michigan.

During his time at Michigan, he served in several roles within the athletic department between 1996-2005. In 2000, he was named associate athletic director with oversight responsibility for operational facets of the university’s athletic program.

Manuel and his wife Chrislan, also a U-M alum who earned a master of health services administration degree in 1993, have a daughter, Emma, and a son, Evan.