University Appoints New Athletic Director and New Director of Athletic Development

2011-08-11

Jeff Blair was appointed to the position of full-time athletic director, University President Peter Cimbolic, Ph.D. announced on Aug. 11, 2011.

Blair, who has been the acting athletic director since July 2010, was instrumental in the university’s transition from the NAIA level to NCAA Division II status last month and membership in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC). ODU enters its second season of competition in the GLIAC this year.

“I am pleased to announce the appointment of Jeff Blair as athletic director,” Cimbolic said. “Jeff has ably led the department in attaining full NCAA Division II standing and his appointment was strongly supported by the members of the athletic department.”

Blair has oversight of the 18 intercollegiate varsity teams in the department, including men’s and women’s track and field, which will compete for the first time as a full squad in 2011-12. In addition to his day-to-day duties in the department, Blair serves as a member of the ODU Director’s Council, as well as on the Compliance, Athletic and Hall of Fame Committees.

“I’d like to thank President Cimbolic for his support and I am grateful for this opportunity,” Blair said. “I’d also like to thank Jamie Caridi [ODU Vice President for Student Development], the administration and the institution as a whole for their support over the past year, as well as the coaches and the entire athletic department staff. With our fall student-athletes reporting to campus this week, I am eager to get this season underway.”

Entering his 11th year with the university, Blair was hired as ODU’s sports information director in 2000 and was promoted to assistant athletic director in 2005. He is the sixth athletic director in school history. Blair is a 1998 graduate of the University of Findlay, where he earned his Bachelor of Science in Sports Management and was a four-time varsity baseball letterwinner. He went on to earn his Masters of Business Administration degree from Findlay as well. A native of Bellefontaine, Ohio, he currently resides in Columbus with his wife Lori and one-year old son, Mason.

In addition to Blair’s promotion to Athletic Director, ODU Athletic Director Emeritus Bill Blazer will move into the role of Director of Athletic Development at the university, effective Sept. 1. Blazer, who served as ODU's athletic director from 2004 to 2010 before stepping into an emeritus role last year, will lead the fundraising efforts for the athletic department. Blazer received his Bachelor’s degree from Bowling Green State University in business administration and his Master’s degree in teacher education from Wright State University.

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