Mack Rhoades (photo/uh.edu)
University of Missouri Chancellor R. Bowen Loftin announced that Mack Rhoades is the new Director of Intercollegiate Athletics at Mizzou. He will assume the post in late April. Rhoades comes over from the University of Houston, where he has overseen Cougar athletics since August 2009. Prior to joining the University of Houston, Rhoades was director of athletics at the University of Akron.
“Mack Rhoades brings a wealth of experience as a Division I athletic director to Mizzou, and he has demonstrated a commitment to our core values of academic integrity, social responsibility and competitive excellence,” Loftin said. “I am delighted to welcome a leader with a track record of enhancing the student-athlete experience and a proven record in fundraising and facility development. We found the right fit at the right time to take Mizzou Athletics to even greater heights.”
“The University of Missouri is a world-class institution, and I am honored to serve as its next director of athletics,” Rhoades said. “Success begins with great people and I look forward to working with our talented student-athletes, coaches and staff to keep the athletics program among the nation’s elite. Amy and the girls and I are extremely excited to become members of the Mizzou family, and I am grateful for the opportunity to work with Chancellor Loftin and President Wolfe. I look forward to traveling the state to meet the fans who are the heartbeat of the Tigers.”
During his tenure at Houston, they raised nearly $100 million and built $160 million worth of new facilities, including a new on-campus football stadium and a men’s and women’s basketball development center. Rhoades also negotiated a new multi-media rights deal for the athletics program as well as one of the top five facility naming rights deals at the collegiate level.
During the 2013-14 academic year, 10 of the 17 sports programs at Houston competed in NCAA postseason competition. The football team has participated in bowl games in four of the last six seasons, including the 2011 season when the Cougars were ranked as high as No. 6 in the BCS standings and competed in two consecutive bowl games in 2013 and 2014.
MU officials will hold a press conference to introduce Mack Rhoades at 2 p.m., Tuesday, March 10 in the MU Student Center. Media will be required to show identification. Limited parking is available for media in the parking lot directly north of the MU Student Center.
