Miami University President David Hodge announced Tuesday, Oct. 9 through a press release on Miami's athletic website that Director of Athletics Brad Bates had accepted the Athletic Director position at Boston College.
Since coming to the university in November 2002, Bates presided over a program that achieved back-to-back football bowl game appearances while also earning conference championships in football, women's cross country, ice hockey, baseball, men's and women's basketball, volleyball, men's and women's swimming, field hockey, women's soccer, women's tennis, softball and synchronized skating, along with Miami's first-ever Frozen Four and national championship appearance in ice hockey.
The Miami Student editorial board would like to congratulate and wish Bates good luck at his new position with Boston College, and to acknowledge the impact he is leaving behind.
Although there have been mixed reactions toward his history with Miami, it is impossible to not recognize one of many people who helped to carry on Miami's pride and tradition in athletics.
It is arguable that Bates made a significant impact on Miami and its athletic programs.
Under Bates' supervision, the graduation success rate of Miami student-athletes ranged from 83 to 90 percent, among the best in the Mid-American Conference. Improvements were also made to several facilities, such as Yager Stadium, the new Goggin Ice Center and a renovated field hockey complex.
As the athletic director Bates helped to improve current athletic complexes and put emphasis on the 'student' part of 'student-athlete' by focusing on the athletes schoolwork.
Miami's history of athletic directors has been a rich one, with dedicated individuals who sought to improve Miami athletics, which is something all Miami RedHawks can appreciate.
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