MADISON, Wis. (WMTV) – Shawn Eichorst was named University of Wisconsin-Madison’s director of athletics, interim Chancellor Eric M. Wilcots announced Wednesday.
Eichorst is a familiar face to Wisconsin. He is from Lone Rock and is a graduate of University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. He served as deputy athletics director at Wisconsin from 2006 – 2011 under Barry Alvarez. He also served as the chief operating officer and oversaw the men’s basketball program.
Eichorst is currently the deputy athletics director and chief operating officer for football at the University of Texas at Austin. He is the former athletic director of Nebraska, UW-Whitewater and Miami.
“We began this process seeking to identify a new leader who would build on our excellence and continue to elevate our program for the future in the rapidly evolving landscape of college athletics,” said Wilcots. “We have found that person in Shawn Eichorst, who brings incredible experience, a history of innovation and success at the highest level, and a commitment to student-athletes welfare. The fact that he is a native of Wisconsin, and understands our university and state, is a tremendous bonus.”
The Wisconsin Badgers are targeting Texas’ Shawn Eichorst for AD position.(KOLN | KOLN)
Eichorst said it was an honor to return to Wisconsin.
“Wisconsin represents everything that is great about higher education and college athletics—academic and competitive excellence, integrity, and a commitment to serving others,” Eichorst said. “I am deeply grateful to interim Chancellor Wilcots and to the search committee for the confidence and trust that they have placed in me and in my vision for the future of Wisconsin Athletics.”
While a student athlete at Whitewater, Eichorst was an all-conference defensive back, three time letterwinner and a 1990 team captain for the Warhawks.
After graduating with a business degree from UW-Whitewater in 1990, he earned a law degree from Marquette Law School in 1995.
The opening for the position comes after former athletic director Chris McIntosh resigned in April to take a position with the Big Ten conference.
Deputy AD Marcus Sedberry has been Interim Director of Athletics in the meantime.
The search for Wisconsin’s next athletic director was led by a committee, which was comprised of a current student athlete, former varsity letterwinners, alumni and senior university and athletic department staff.
Wisconsin Athletics said Eichorst will be formally introduced at Camp Randall during an event. The date of that event was not yet announced.
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