Acting AU President Neil Kerwin announced this week that university Athletic Director Dr. Joni Comstock will be leaving to take a position with the NCAA.
Comstock, who has been the athletic director at AU for the past three years, will begin working for the NCAA on Sept. 29, where she will serve as both a senior vice president for championships and as the organization's senior woman administrator.
"I definitely have mixed feelings [on leaving AU]," Comstock said. "I'm very pleased with the opportunity to join the NCAA national office. But at the same time, I'll always be very proud of the time that I spent here and my association with the university."
Under Comstock's leadership, the AU Athletics Department has thrived, seeing record increases in fundraising and donor support, and helping to raise nearly half of the department's $7.5 million goal in the past two years.
Much of Comstock's focus has been placed on AU's 243 student athletes, a group which she calls "particularly outstanding." The Eagles have won 13 Patriot League titles under Comstock and also achieved the highest combined grade point average in the program's history last spring.
"I think we've established a high level of academic and athletic success," said Comstock. "I want there to be more connection on campus and more recognition for what a good athletic department this is."
Comstock has had a busy 2006, as she served as chairman to the NCAA Women's Basketball Committee this past season. She was also named Division I-AAA Southeast Region General Sports TURF Systems Athletics Director of the Year.
Though her replacement at AU has yet to be decided, Comstock is confident that the department's success will continue long after her departure.
"I think we've created the kind of organization that will have success that's sustainable," Comstock said. "I feel very confident in the student athletes and the staff here. We know where we're headed, we have systems in place and we've built success that will continue"
