NSU Athletic Director to depart

NSU Athletic Director Jeff Konya today accepted a similar position with the California State UniversityBakersfield.

In accepting Konyas resignation, President Don Betz said, We wish Jeff our best in this new pursuit and we thank him for his contributions over the past two years in realizing our institutional goals. These include the transition to the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association (MIAA), enhanced marketing and game-day experiences, as well his collaborative efforts in advancing the planning for the Events Center, among other initiatives.

Konya noted, "The last twenty-four months have been a very productive and transforming time for RiverHawks athletics. I have had the pleasure of working with some fantastic people in the community, and within Northeastern State, especially with and for Dr. Don Betz. In athletics, we charted an ambitious strategic plan, increased external fundraising and brand awareness, improved the game atmosphere and multimedia opportunities, added more corporate sponsors, made much needed improvements to some of our athletics facilities and enhanced student-athlete programming.

Konya continued, I am proud of the work that my staff, coaches and student-athletes have accomplished and truly believe a solid foundation has been built for even more success with the coming transition to the MIAA."

Betz said an interim athletic director will be named soon. A national search will be launched immediately for a successor.

Konya was named Northeasterns fifth athletic director in January 2009. A Princeton graduate with a law degree from the University of Iowa, Konya was senior associate athletics director at Southern Methodist University when he accepted the NSU position. While at NSU he served as regional director for the National Consortium for Academics and Sport and as a member of the NCAA Division II Mens and Womens Tennis Committee.

NSU enrolls over 9,600 students on campuses in Tahlequah, Muskogee and Broken Arrow. The NCAA Division II institution has 10 varsity athletic programs with about 250 students-athletes.