UNI Names Jean Berger Interim Athletic Director

The University of Northern Iowa has named Deputy Athletic Director Jean Berger as UNI's interim director of athletics.

Berger’s appointment is effective Friday, Jan. 1. She replaces Troy Dannen, who is leaving UNI to be the athletics director at Tulane University in New Orleans.

“Jean’s intimate knowledge of the UNI athletic program, her vast experience with college athletics in general and her positive relationships with the staff, coaches and student athletes are exactly what we’re looking for during this transition,” said UNI President Bill Ruud.

“I want to thank President Ruud for his faith in me and his continued support of our department as we move forward,” Berger said. “The athletic department has made great strides under Troy Dannen’s leadership, and I am confident our coaches, staff and student athletes will continue that momentum.”

Berger, a Winterset native, joined UNI in 2008 as senior associate athletic director and senior woman administrator in October 2008. She was promoted to deputy athletic director in July 2015.

At UNI, Berger is the direct supervisor of five UNI women's sports - basketball, soccer, softball, tennis and volleyball. She also oversees academic services and athletic training. She is responsible for implementing and monitoring gender equity plans and assisting with marketing and budgeting of assigned programs.

Before coming to UNI, Berger worked for more than 17 years at Drake University. She began working with the Bulldogs in 1991 as an assistant sports information director. In 1994, she took over as the senior woman administrator and assistant athletic director for internal affairs, and in 2005, she was promoted to associate athletic director.

Berger attended the University of Iowa where she earned a bachelor's degree in journalism and master's degree in physical education and sports studies.