I deeply appreciate Shanes leadership over the past eight years and I wish him well, Gee said in a statement. My family and I cant wait to get to Morgantown to build relationships and help take Mountaineer Athletics to even greater heights.. Wren Baker is officially the new Vice President and Director of Athletics at West Virginia University, the school announced Wednesday afternoon. Sources told ESPN hes agreed in principle to a six-year deal to become the Mountaineers new athletic director. Under Mullens, Oregon was the first school to release an Official NIL Marketplace - the first licensed school marketplace in college sports. MORGANTOWN, W.Va (WDTV) - West Virginia University has named Wren Baker as its next vice president and athletic director, according to a release from WVU. Baker, the 44-year-old North Texas athletic director, has been hired as West Virginia's new AD, sources tell . Athletics Director for Creative, Digital Media at WVU, Calgary Stampede places first in WAMSB 2023 finals, Back to school: West Virginia shoppers hit the mall before getting back to the classroom, Lookin back at WAMSB's impact on Buckhannon, WVU Football hires new Director of Scouting - WDTV Sports, Kayla Smith's Monday Evening Forecast | July 24, 2023, Closed Captioning/Audio Description Complaints. Wren Baker, who spent the previous six-plus years as Vice President/Director of Athletics at North Texas, is filling. West Virginia athletics director Shane Lyons resigned Monday under pressure, ending a seven-year run at his alma mater. Good morning! This is a developing story, stick with 5 News for updates as they become available. Taking a look at potential athletic director candidates for West Virginia, Bob Huggins lawyers up, WVU responds, Huggins retaliates in wild West Virginia weekend, Your moms daytime soap operas got nothing on this cluster, West By Pod: Deep Divin into Penn State and Pitt. MORGANTOWN, W.Va (WDTV) - West Virginia University Athletics has named a Bridgeport native as the Assistant Athletic Director in charge of Creative and . It means more to be because its WVU, and I feel an immense amount of pride in this position and really look forward to putting out pieces and putting together content that the families will be proud of, Marra said. For Baker, the appeal of the West Virginia job is the opportunity to lead a Big 12 program. Fred Schaus - Wikipedia Now serving as the Senior Associate Athletics Director for the Bulldogs, Miller is involved in operations that include major gifts, annual giving, and donor relations. Yormark also supervised sponsorship, licensing, content partnerships, and brand strategy. Powered by RedCircleSubscribe Now! Previously Chun served with Florida Atlantic, rising through the ranks to become the Executive Associate Athletics Director. Published: Jul. Earlier this week, President E. Gordon Gee announced that the school had parted ways. The boys are back for the first of our Deep Dive series with a look at our old foes from Pennsylvania. This is a developing story, stick with 5 News for updates. Baker will have oversight of 18 varsity sports, a department budget of more than $90 million, approximately 250 employees and nearly 500 student-athletes. My family and I cant wait to get to Morgantown to build relationships and help take Mountaineer Athletics to even greater heights.. The WVU Directory is available to WVU students and employees and requires logging in with your WVU credentials. Kevin Miller is another candidate with West Virginia ties, earning his bachelors degree in business management in 2005 and his masters in sport management in 2006. We wanted someone who clearly understood the dynamics of a fast-changing athletics environment and had found success being at the forefront of this new world that includes managing NIL and the portal. I am thrilled to welcome Wren Baker to the West Virginia University family as our new athletic director and I have no doubt his personality and energy will connect with our student-athletes and coaches, as well as our campus community and alumni,West Virginia University President Gordon Geesaid. https://t.co/WBWBrJ0PHv. The campaign was a huge success which increased membership from 9,000 to 26,000 in the six years since the program was launched. It was reported Wednesday morning that Baker would . A new athletic director is expected to be hired in the coming weeks. The use of software that blocks ads hinders our ability to serve you the content you came here to enjoy. Before FAU, Chun worked at Ohio State where he worked his way up the ranks in the Athletic Department to become the Executive Associate Athletics Director for External Relations, which allowed him to work with the University to generate $39 million in 2010, $41 million in 2011 and $42 million in 2012. Matt Wells. WVU Athletic Director Wren Baker reflects on his first six months Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. We also want someone who can continue to be innovative and thoughtful in an ever-changing world. Additional revenue streams. MORGANTOWN, W.Va (WDTV) - West Virginia University Athletics has named a Bridgeport native as the Assistant Athletic Director in charge of Creative and Digital Media. MORGANTOWN, W.Va. West Virginia University officially welcomed Wren Baker as the 13th Director of Athletics on Monday inside the Milan Puskar Center. To learn more or opt-out, read our Cookie Policy. And, with the student-athlete in mind, he has implemented a Clinical and Sport Psychology unit with a full-time director and professional interns, added specialized learning assistants to the Student-Athlete Development unit and entered into a partnership with WVU Medicines Neuroscience Department to assist in the training and recovery of student-athletes, all emphasizing his overall commitment to the well-being and performance student-athletes. West Virginia athletics director Shane Lyons resigns. What this means A graduate of Salem International University, Howell was a four-year . However, Alsop indicated Lyons' dismissal doesn't automatically mean the Mountaineers will be. Yormark joined the company in the fall of 2019 and in his role as COO, focused on optimizing operational resources and building company infrastructure to support continued growth. Shane Lyons is no longer the athletic director at West Virginia University. Roc Nation is a full-service entertainment company supporting a diverse roster of talent via artist management, music publishing, touring, production, strategic brand development and more. With solid infrastructure in place and a staff of great administrators and coaches, we are well positioned to continue our success. His yearly compensation will be $1.1M, plus additional incentives. Chris Anderson Nov 30th, 2022, 9:26 AM 145 West Virginia is making official the hire of Wren Baker from the University of North Texas. Wren Baker to lead WVU Athletics - West Virginia University He replaces Shane Lyons, who was let go earlier this month. When you think of any type of leader, you want someone who knows, understands and appreciates the team thats here, the culture thats been developed and that we continue on that trajectory of empowering individuals to do the best that they can, Alsop said. He also was a lead member of a team that authored the then-largest multimedia rights deal with IMG College, a 10-year $128 million partnership. Lyons, the Universitys 12th athletic director, and his wife, Emily, a graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Madison, have two children: Cameron and Brooke. West Virginia football head coach Neal Brown has announced that long time NFL scout Drew Fabianich has been hired as the General Manager, Director of Scouting for the Mountaineer Football program. West Virginia University has hired a new athletic director. He alone was able to secure 21 of 53 major gift commitments. Please also read our Privacy Notice and Terms of Use, which became effective December 20, 2019. He guided North Texas athletics to a school record for fundraising in a single year, nearly doubling the previous department record. Think it is good to give Brown one more year. WVU parts ways with Director of Athletics Shane Lyons - WSAZ President Gordon Gee plans to move swiftly to name a new athletic director and in the short-term has appointed Rob Alsop, vice president for strategic initiatives, as the interim director of athletics. As part of her duties, she oversees capital projects, revenue generation and strategic initiatives. The evaluation of the football program will be the first task of our new athletic director and no changes will be made until that review has been completed.. Lyons came to West Virginia after spending three years as the deputy director of athletics and chief operating officer at Alabama where he worked closely on day-to-day strategic leadership and direction of the Crimson Tide Athletic program. The UNT Athletics Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Luck helped to form Country Roads Trust, West Virginias answer to the name, image and likeness issues. He and his wife, Heather, a Bokchito, Oklahoma, native, have two daughters, Addisyn and Reagan. Innovative and thoughtful in an ever-changing world. We use cookies and other tracking technologies to improve your browsing experience on our site, show personalized content and targeted ads, analyze site traffic, and understand where our audiences come from. Prior to working at the ACC, Lyons served as associate athletics director for compliance at Big 12 member Texas Tech from 1998 to 2001. Brown Tabs Drew Fabianich as GM, Director of Scouting Shane Lyons, the athletic director at West Virginia, has reportedly been fired by the school. At the ACC, Lyons focused on conference-wide compliance and academic initiatives, providing direct assistance to the conferences presidents, chancellors and athletics directors in matters dealing with NCAA regulatory matters. His endless energy is devoted to his facilities master plan that will keep West Virginia a strong Power 5 institution and position his department for growth and continued success. See terms at draftkings.com/sportsbook. Luck previously served as the Athletic Director at West Virginia from 2010-2014. This list of West Virginia University alumni includes notable people from published sources that previously attended West Virginia University . Our strengths are our brand, history and tradition. In 2016, the MAC was able to fundraise more than $15.6 million and secure more than $3.3 million in major gift commitments. Mullens is the AD at Oregon where he has served since 2010. Baker comes to Morgantown from. Whit Babcock earned a bachelors degree from James Madison University and a masters degree in sports management from West Virginia. Morgantown, WV 26507-0877 You can follow us for future coverage by liking us on Facebook & following us Twitter: Twitter - @MountaineersNow and Christopher Hall @WVHallBilly, West Virginia University hires Wren Baker as its new vice president and director of athletics. Jul 24, 2023. Baker will take over for Shane Lyons, who was fired in mid-November and has since taken a role in the Alabama athletic department. Randy Mazey to coach one final season for West Virginia. Morrisey announces next step for W.Va. First Foundation While at FAU, Chun worked to secure the largest gift in the universitys history - a $16 million gift from the Schmidt Family Foundation. Baker will begin his tenure at WVU on Dec. 19 under a six-year agreement through Dec. 31, 2028. The University has retained the search firm Turnkey ZRG to assist in hiring a new athletic director with the goal of having a new director in place within three to four weeks. He earned bachelors and masters degrees in sport management from WVU in 1987 and 1988, respectively. Two big reasons why WVU hired new Athletic Director Wren Baker. Taking a look at potential athletic director candidates for West Virginia Men's Track and Cross Country (1905-2003), Legislative Review Committee (Chair 2 years), Division I Academics/Eligiblity Compliance Cabinet, Division I Interpretations Committee (Chair 2 years), Division I Legislative Council (Chair 2 years), Division I Communications and Coordinator Committee, Big 12 Administration, Finance and Budget Committee, Big 12 Game Management and Officiating Subcommittee, Big 12 Athletic Directors Council (Chair), Division I Football Oversight Committee (Chair). Required fields are marked *. Looking at additional revenue streams and innovation and the ever-changing landscape of college athletics is something that we will be focused on in looking for our next leader. Additionally, his work with WVU President E. Gordon Gees senior leadership team, as well as the Big 12 Conference and other national committees, has brought additional respect and positive exposure to his department and the University. Marra is a 2020 graduate of South Caroline, where he received his Bachelors Degree in Business Management with a minor in Sport and Entertainment Management. The Mountaineers have been a member of the Big 12 Conference since 2012. Brown Names Fabianich as General Manager, Director of Scouting Following the hire of Shane Lyons, Zinn was named Deputy Athletics Director and COO - providing strategic direction and operations management to the Mountaineers 18 intercollegiate programs. He also has been involved in the major planning for Athletics capital projects including renovations to the Milan Puskar Center and Mylan Park Track and Aquatic Center, navigating through the COVID-19 pandemic and collaborating on key decisions relating to Athletics major partners such as Learfield. WVU's new head coach Neal Brown holds up his team jersey with Director of Athletics Shane Lyons, left, and University President E. Gordon Gee at a press conference in Morgantown. Marra says hes happy to be back home and honored to work with a great creative staff. by Wesley Shoemaker | Nov 30, 2022 | Featured, WVU Sports | 1 comment. Two bullet points that show why WVU hired Wren Baker as new Athletic General Manager, Director of Scouting - West Virginia University Athletics The Marketplace allowed Oregon athletes to create their own profiles that can be customized and promoted to fans on their personal social media channels. Baker begins his duties at WVU on Dec. 19 under a six-year agreement through Dec. 31, 2028 and will earn a yearly compensation of $1.1 million, plus incentives. He led 18 head coaching searches, and his hires have a combined winning percentage of nearly 70%. In addition, he played a pivotal role in a historic renegotiation of Alabamas multimedia rights agreement that started in 2014 and was involved in several significant capital projects totaling more than $85 million. The fate of football coach. With the firing of Shane Lyons announced last week, the West Virginia Mountaineers are currently operating under interim Athletic Director Rob Alsop while the University searches for a permanent replacement. We are supporting Coach Neal Brown and our team as we complete our season over the next few weeks, Gee said. MORGANTOWN, W. Va. The Pitt and West Virginia basketball teams have met 189 times, with No. Baker's latest known salary is just under $800,000 per year, which puts him among the highest-paid athletic directions in the Group of 5. The school registered its four best fundraising years in its history, and the overall top five largest gifts at UNT came under Bakers leadership. Baker is WVUs 13th director of Athletics. He went on to earn his master's degree in education leadership from Oklahoma State in 2003. Baker also led record fundraising years at North Texas. Nov 16, 2022 5:01 PM EST The athletic department at West Virginia University will soon have a new leader. Gambling Problem? New AD Baker expected to retain Brown for 2023 - Blue Gold Sports, Neal Brown names Drew Fabianich as Director of Scouting, West Virginia officially announces transfer of Quinn Slazinski, Best Virginia Roster and Tournament Schedule, 7/22 West Virginia Mens Basketball Roster Update, Five Teams that Could Join the Big 12 in the Coming Years, 7/22 West Virginia Men's Basketball Roster Update - SportsBeezer. Official: West Virginia hires North Texas' Wren Baker as next Director Call (800) 327-5050 or visit gamblinghelpline.ma.org (MA), Call 877-8-HOPENY/text HOPENY (467369) (NY). Sources told ESPN that Baker agreed to a six-year deal to lead the Mountaineers' athletic department. He also played baseball for the Indians and was a member of three straight state championships from 2014-16. July 24, 2023 03:52 PM. The school is a member of National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I. According to Ross Dellenger of Sports Illustrated, sources tell him current North Texas Athletic Director Wren Baker has a deal. At Gray, our journalists report, write, edit and produce the news content that informs the communities we serve. Copyright 2023 WDTV. Oliver Francis Luck (born April 5, 1960) is an American business executive and former football quarterback. General Information Requests Can Be Directed to: (304) 293-9873. A native of Parkersburg, West Virginia, and a graduate of Parkersburg High, Lyons was a standout basketball player for the Big Reds. However, Gee said no changes to the football program will be made in the coming weeks. BREAKING: West Virginia Hires New Athletic Director - Sports Illustrated Lyons had been athletic director since 2015. Heres how you can watch Mountaineer alums Ashley Lawrence and Kadeisha Buchanan as well as rising star freshman Isabella Flanigan showcase their skills in the 2023 Womens World Cup. We wanted someone who clearly understood the dynamics of a fast-changing athletics environment and had found success being at the forefront of this new world that includes managing NIL and the portal. Baker spent the las six years as the vice president and athletics director of the University of North Texas, with previous stops at Missouri, Memphis, Northwest Missouri and Rogers State, Baker brings more than 20 years of experience to WVU as its 13th director of Athletics. Prior to joining the Alabama staff in November 2011, Lyons spent 10 years as an associate commissioner at the Atlantic Coast Conference. Lyons out as WVU's director of athletics | WBOY.com During his time he helped steer the Mountaineers from the dying Big East conference, which would ultimately resolve itself into the AAC, and into the Big 12, during the expansion wars of 2010.