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SU Introduces New Athletic Director who Expects Excellence from Athletes on and off the Field

Chris Bolt/WAER News

Syracuse University’s new Athletic Director says he wants student athletes to represent the University in a first class manner both on and off the athletic fields.  Mark Coyle is from Boise State University.  He recognizes Syracuse’s history and tradition of strong athletic programs as one of the University’s strengths.

“Syracuse is a special place, and I think sometimes when you’re in Syracuse day in and day out you sometimes lose sight of what this program represents nationally and internationally.  When this opportunity became open, I can’t tell you how quick I picked up the phone and called because I knew this was a special place.”

  Coyle says the athletic program has a strong responsibility to the University, Syracuse community, and New York State.  He says he wants to help student athletes aim as high as possible. 

“My expectations are simple.  I want to make sure that we provide a nationally competitive, broad based program that focuses on every student athlete.  We’re going to get our degrees and we’re going to compete for championships.”

Coyle has read the full report of NCAA sanctions and says he had conversations with the search committee about it.  Chancellor Kent Syverud says there were numerous candidates for the position, and after talking with many people who worked with Coyle, he is confident they made the right choice.

new_ad_kent_web.mp3
Hear SU Chancellor Kent Syverud's remarks upon introducing the new athletic director.

“They told me about a leader who works incredibly hard, with great attention to detail.  They told me about a leader who they love to work with and they love to work for.  They told me about a leader who is relentlessly ambitious for his school, not for himself.  But most of all they told me about Mark Coyle’s values.”

Coyle will officially begin working as the Athletic Director for Syracuse University in two weeks.

Chris Bolt, Ed.D. has proudly been covering the Central New York community and mentoring students for more than 30 years. His career in public media started as a student volunteer, then as a reporter/producer. He has been the news director for WAER since 1995. Dedicated to keeping local news coverage alive, Chris also has a passion for education, having trained, mentored and provided a platform for growth to more than a thousand students. Career highlights include having work appear on NPR, CBS, ABC and other news networks, winning numerous local and state journalism awards.