BOSTON, MA--Gary Strickler, who has served as Boston University's Director of Athletics since 1989, has announced his retirement effective July 1, 2004. However, for another year, he will serve in a role as consultant for the University's new athletics director. It was not announced when Strickler's successor will be named.
During Strickler's tenure, the Terrier athletic program has enjoyed unparalleled success and growth. Today, there are 23 varsity teams, 12 for women and 11 for men that are among the elite in America East, Hockey East, the Colonial Athletic Conference, and the Eastern Association of Rowing Colleges.
One of the primary indicators of the broad-based success of the teams is that Boston University has won America East's Stuart P. Haskell, Jr. Commissioner's Cup the past two years. The Cup is awarded to the conference institution whose teams compile the strongest record during the year in all conference championships. During the 2002-03 season, five Terrier teams won America East post-season tournament titles-women's basketball, women's cross country, women's lacrosse, softball, and women's tennis. What's more, five teams-men's basketball, men's cross country, men's and women's indoor track and field, and men's swimming and diving, finished runners-up in the post-season competition. Also, three teams-men's basketball, women's lacrosse, and softball, won the conference regular-season titles.
This season, the men's basketball team just wrapped up the America East regular-season title and will enter this weekend's conference tournament as the number one seed. Last fall, the women's soccer team won both the conference regular-season and post-season titles and advanced to the NCAAs. Also, the men's cross country team finished third in the conference championship, while the women were fourth.
Terrier student-athletes have enjoyed similar success in the classroom. Last year, 195 Terrier athletes were honored for their academic accomplishments. Academic excellence is something that Strickler has stressed during his tenure as evidenced by the concerted fund-raising campaign that led to the dedication of the Elliot H. Cole Academic Support Center in 1993.
In addition, Strickler has also overseen the University's unprecedented commitment to improving the athletic facilities. The growth began in 1999 with the completion of the DeWolfe Boathouse, the crown jewel on the Charles River. Since then, renovation was completed on a new grass softball facility, Nickerson Field was resurfaced to provide a better surface for soccer, and a new indoor track and tennis facility was completed.
Finally, the University's 6,200-seat Harry Agganis Arena, which will host a myriad of functions, is expected to be completed by January 2005.
"I am deeply appreciative of the opportunity I have had to work with outstanding people during 16 years in the athletics department," said Strickler. "I am similarly grateful to the administration of Boston University for supporting me through my entire 35-year career.
"This is an institution of incredible quality, and ours is a department with a remarkable record of success," continued Strickler. "I thank the University for giving us the resources needed to accomplish our goals."
Strickler's involvement with Boston University began in July 1969, as an academic counselor in the School of Management. During the next 19 years, he held two other positions in the School of Management. He was the Assistant Dean of the Undergraduate Program, and was later the Associate Dean of Graduate Programs.
Then, in 1988, he moved to the athletic department to serve as an Assistant Athletic Director, a position he held for a year before being named the Athletic Director.
Over the years, Strickler has also been very involved in the direction of America East, as he has served as Chairman of the Conference's Board of Directors the past two years and continues to serve on its Executive Committee.
A native of Stephens City, VA, Strickler received his Bachelors degree in English from Randolph-Macon College in 1963 and two Masters' degrees from Boston University. In 1967, he earned his Masters of Sacred Theology, while he received his Masters in Education in 1971.
Gary and his wife, Stella, who have a daughter Kendra, reside in Southborough.
There is no announcement on when Strickler's replacement will be announced.
