OU has New AD. Is He Pro-Track?

Ohio names Wichita State AD to head its athletics department

From the Athens News

April 7, 2008

Ohio University named a new athletics director this afternoon (Monday), hiring a man who held the same position for the past nine years at Wichita State University in Kansas. President Roderick J. McDavis announced the hiring of Jim Schaus, 47, as director of athletics at a press conference in the Convocation Center.

Schaus replaces Kirby Hocutt, who took the AD job at the University of Miami in Florida.

Since assuming control of the department July 1, 1999, according to an OU Athletics news release, “Schaus has reached the goal of making WSU one of the most competitive programs in the Missouri Valley Conference, a fact highlighted by WSU's four-straight MVC all-sports trophies. The four-straight awards were highlighted by a WSU record seven conference titles in 2005-06, as well as 20 Valley team titles in the last four years.”

The release continued in this vein, stating, “In addition, all Wichita State sports that sell tickets were ranked nationally in attendance during the past two years, which is undoubtedly a direct result of Schaus' efforts to upgrade institutional athletics facilities.”

In 2007, the release said, Wichita State won MVC team titles in women's cross country, women's indoor track and field, women's outdoor track and field, women's tennis and baseball. Nationally, men's basketball rose to a #8 national ranking, while the baseball team made its 25th NCAA Tournament appearance, playing host to an NCAA Super Regional for the first time since the format was restructured. Another highlight was the women's tennis team's first national ranking last season, while finishing the season 27-3, the most wins in school history.

“In order to create a solid foundation in his first year,” according to the release, “Schaus restructured the WSU athletics department in an effort to create a business-like atmosphere, and in the process hired five head coaches and five new administrators.” The department also completed the $7.8 million Eck Stadium-Home of Tyler Field project during his first year.

Schaus came to WSU with substantial background in athletics administration, with stints in collegiate athletics at Oregon, Cincinnati, Texas-El Paso and Northern Illinois.

In 1987, Schaus received his master's degree in athletics administration from West Virginia. In 1983, he earned his bachelor's degree from Purdue.