ATHLETICS DIRECTOR AT MIAMI-OHIO (Odds)

Brad Bates was announced as Miami-Ohio's new director of athletics on Dec. 2, 2002. Bates, 43, came to Miami from Vanderbilt University, where he served as the senior associate director of athletics from 1998 to 2002.

"From everything we have been able to learn about Brad, he is one of the up-and-coming shining lights of athletic administration," said University President James C. Garland. "He is dynamic, articulate, knowledgeable and well-liked and respected by everybody he has worked with. The pool of candidates we had to select from was extremely strong, and choosing among such highly-qualified men and women was a significant challenge. Nevertheless, I am confident that Brad is an excellent fit for Miami and is the right person to lead us forward."

With no ties to KU, Bates is a long shot. The fact that Al Bohl has Ohio ties (Ohio State, Bowling Green) can't help, either.

Along with overseeing the administration of all 15 sports at Vanderbilt, Bates was highly involved in the department's decision-making processes, relating to budgeting, marketing, development, licensing, Title IX compliance and other various day-to-day operations. During his tenure as a senior associate athletic director, Bates assisted in the department's negotiations with the Tennessee Titans for the hosting rights of Vanderbilt Stadium during the 1998 season.

In his 17 years at Vanderbilt, Bates has worked his way up, serving in several different capacities within the department. The positions included associate director of athletics for revenue sports and internal operations (1996-98), associate director of athletics for internal operations (1995-96), assistant athletic director for student life (1989-95) and interim assistant athletic director for compliance and student life (1994).

Over that time, Bates handled a wide variety of tasks, ranging from supervising the school's CHAMPS/Lifeskills program to overseeing many of the student-athlete support staffs. While serving as the assistant athletic director for student life in 1995 and supervising the academic support center, the Vanderbilt football team earned the prestigious American Football Coaches Association Award for the highest graduation rate in college football. The football program repeated the feat last season.

A 1981 graduate of the University of Michigan with a Bachelor's degree in education, Bates was a walk-on defensive back for the Wolverines from 1977-81. He played for then-Michigan head football coach Bo Schembechler, a 1951 Miami alumnus and member of Miami's legendary Cradle of Coaches. In his four years as a player, the Wolverines won three Big Ten Championships, posted a record of 37-11-0 and played in three Rose Bowls and a Gator Bowl.

While serving as Michigan's graduate assistant for football in 1982, Bates earned his Master's degree in education. He later went on to attain a Doctorate of Education in 1998 from Vanderbilt University.

—Courtesy of Miami-Ohio Sports Information.