University of Cincinnati is getting a new Athletic Director. Mike Bohn, the former Colorado AD, is chosen to replace Whit Babcock, who left the position to take up a job at Virginia Tech.
Bohn's career spans over 30 years and includes record-setting achievements at several athletic programs. Bohn left University of Colorado, CU, last May after serving as the AD for eight years, from 2005 to 2013. Among his accomplishments at Colorado, he is immensely credited for successfully leading the Buffaloes from the Big 12 to the Pac-12.
Plus, CU secured four conference championship titles within two years. Men's basketball won the title for the first time in over 43 years. In 2013, the Laboratory for the Study of Intercollegiate Athletics at Texas A&M chose CU as the most economically efficient athletics department in the country.
Cincinnati hopes Bohn repeats his success with Bearcats as well. Bohn's immediate responsibility would be transfer the Bearcats from the American Athletic Conference to one of the top leagues in the country.
"One of his main accomplishments in eight years there, what was most talked about among his accomplishments was his ability to lead that university into the Pac-12 Conference," President Santa J. Ono said, Fox News reports.
Bearcats with successful football and basketball programs attempted to join Atlantic Coast Conference, ACC, when the former Big East dissolved into the American Athletic Conference, AAC. The ACC rejected their application. As a result, they had to continue with AAC. But right now, AAC is unstable with Louisville leaving for the ACC post this season.
Since the conference realignment is complete, the Bearcats will need to develop themselves into a more attractive option when the next round of shuffling happens.
"We are beyond excited to join the UC community--with its rich history and remarkable momentum. I am eager to partner with a highly energized President who understands the collaborative role that athletics can play in advancing the University's vision and values. Go Bearcats!," Bohn said in a statement.
Bohn hopes to build on the momentum established by his predecessors and convert the teams' success into more support. "We certainly want to take advantage of the momentum that the institution currently has."
