Dear colleagues,
Today we will be issuing a news release announcing that after an extensive national search, we have selected Dan Bartholomae as Western Michigan University’s director for intercollegiate athletics. His appointment is effective Jan. 1, pending Board of Trustees approval.
Bartholomae (pronounced bar-THAW-lo-MAY) comes to Western with a strong record of service in Division I athletics and a commitment to maintaining a program centered on success for our student-athletes on and off the field.
He was most recently the Oregon State University (OSU) executive deputy athletic director and chief operating officer. He has previously held several positions at the University of Pittsburgh, including deputy athletic director of internal affairs, executive associate athletic director of compliance and administration, and assistant athletic director and director of compliance. He has also represented OSU and Pitt on committees and working groups with the NCAA, the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics, the Pac-12 and Atlantic Coast Conference.
Bartholomae is very experienced in directing strategic planning for athletic departments. He’s been at the forefront of sports administration and coaching supervision at both universities, guiding policy development and establishing strategic direction for all sports. He led fan engagement and revenue generation activities that included contract negotiations and stadium improvements at Oregon State that resulted in increased revenue, ticket sales and an improved fan experience.
He has been deeply engaged in supporting student-athletes through the promotion of mental health and academic support services. He also served as a liaison and departmental point of contact with the board of trustees, chancellor and Title IX office.
Bartholomae holds a bachelor’s degree in policy analysis and public affairs from Indiana University and an MBA from the University of Pittsburgh. His experience and aptitude make him an excellent choice for this key role in advancing our work to implement the Empowering Futures Gift and other key initiatives, including the We Must Unite Athletics Diversity Task Force.
He succeeds Kathy Beauregard, who is retiring after 24 years in the AD role and 42 years at Western. She leaves as the longest-serving athletic director at the same institution and one of just nine female athletic directors among 130 Football Bowl Subdivision schools across the nation.
Please also join me in thanking the rest of the Athletic Director Search Advisory Committee, which was chaired by Professor Luchara Wallace. Their dedication to an effective and efficient process enabled our University to fill this role with an exceptional leader.
Sincerely,
Edward Montgomery
President