Search advisory committee formed to find new athletic director

Northwestern University announced today, July 11, the formation of a search advisory committee to lead the search for the next Combe Family Vice President for Athletics and Recreation. 

The individual chosen will succeed Derrick Gragg, who will continue to serve as the University’s athletic director until the next AD begins. At that point, Dr. Gragg will assume the role of vice president for athletic strategy. President Michael Schill has appointed Director of Golf and Player Development Pat Goss as Interim Senior Deputy Director of Athletics until the new athletic director begins. In this role, Goss will help lead Northwestern’s Department of Athletics and Recreation’s efforts and ensure continuity of functions and activities, working closely with Gragg as Gragg begins addressing the scope of his new role. 

President Schill charged the search committee, which includes faculty, staff and trustees, to undertake the search to recommend a slate of candidates. Milton “Chip” Morris ‘92, ‘04 MBA, Trustee, Chair of the Research, Innovation, and Entrepreneurship Committee of the Board of Trustees, and alumnus of the Wildcats Football team will serve as chair. TurnkeyZRG has been retained to assist the committee.  

TurnkeyZRG is the top firm in the space, having recently assisted the Big Ten in the placement of Big Ten Commissioner Tony Petitti. In total, TurnkeyZRG has placed several dozen Directors of Athletics, including sitting AD’s at Big Ten schools Michigan, Minnesota, Iowa, Illinois, Maryland, Penn State and Purdue. 

Committee members 

• Milton “Chip” Morris (chair), Trustee 

• Geraldo Cadava, Professor of History and chair of Northwestern’s Committee on Athletics and Recreation  

• Kelly Amonte Hiller, Combe Family Head Lacrosse Coach  

• Kip Kirkpatrick, Trustee 

• Wendy Nelson, Trustee  

• Pat Ryan, Jr., Trustee 

At the start of this search, the committee will solicit valuable perspectives from a wide array of stakeholders, including student-athletes, coaches, athletics staff, faculty, alumni and others. Members of the University community also are invited to share their perspectives and or recommend candidates by emailing VPNUDAR@northwestern.edu.  

The committee will use this input to identify priorities and desired attributes and experiences and in the formation of a position description for the next Vice President for Athletics & Recreation.