Warde Manuel has been named the new director of athletics at Michigan, effective March 14, with a five-year appointment.
Manuel, a U of M alumnus who played football under Bo Schembechler, is currently the director of athletics at Connecticut.
“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,” said university president Mark Schlissel in a statement. “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 announcement makes Manuel Michigan’s 12th athletic director in 150 years of intercollegiate athletics at the university.
“I am honored to have been selected to serve Michigan as the Donald R. Shepherd Director of Athletics by President Schlissel,” added Manuel. “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.'”
Jim Hackett, the retired CEO of Steelcase Inc., has served as interim AD since Oct. 2014 and will continue until Manuel arrives on campus.
