UNI’s Athletic Director Accepts Job At Tulane

UNI athletic director Troy Dannen is leaving the Cedar Valley for a similar job in the Bayou.

Tulane University in New Orleans has chosen Dannen to be the Green Wave's new director of athletics, the school's President Michael A Fitts announced today (Wednesday, Dec. 2, 2015).

Dannen will be introduced as Tulane's 33rd athletic director at an 11 a.m. news conference on Friday. He's been hired to replace current Tulane athletic director Rick Dickson, who his set to retire in June of 2016.

“Troy has demonstrated outstanding leadership and success in every job, at every level,” said Fitts in a press release announcing Dannen's hiring that is posted on Tulane's website. “His dedication to his student-athletes and his goal to win championships in every sport are testament to his enthusiasm and his dedication to his profession.”

“On a personal note,” Fitts continued, “I know that Troy’s engaging personality, warmth and tremendous energy level will endear him to our student-athletes and fans.”

Dannen is currently in his eighth year at UNI after serving as the executive director of the Iowa Girls' High School Athletic Union (IGHSAU). The UNI graduate took charge of the athletics program at his alma mater in 2008.

During his tenure, the Panthers have enjoyed an incredible run of success at both the conference and national levels. The success comes not only in the form of wins on each athletic platform, but success in academics, fundraising, business operations and marketing.

Dannen was honored by the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA) as Under Armour AD of the Year (ADOY) in 2014.

“Troy has really taken UNI’s athletic program to a new level,” said UNI President Bill Ruud. “He has done a great deal to enhance athletics at UNI, from improving our facilities to increasing the number of scholarships for student athletes. We are grateful for Troy’s leadership and support, and we wish him and his family the best at Tulane.”

“The opportunity to serve my alma mater in this position for the last eight years has been a dream,” said Dannen. “President (Ben) Allen, and now President Ruud have given me the opportunity to lead an outstanding group of coaches and student athletes and work alongside a fantastic staff.

"It is an opportunity I will always cherish. As accomplished as Northern Iowa has been competitively, academically, socially and fiscally, I’m confident the best is yet to come for Panther Nation.”

Dannen’s final day at UNI is Dec. 31. An interim athletic director will be named while school officials perform a national search for his replacement.

Live streaming of Dannen's introductory news conference at Tulane will be available at www.TulaneGreenWave.com on Friday.