Colorado University Athletics
Lengyel Named CU Interim Athletic Director
November 30, 2004 | General
The University of Colorado at Boulder announced the appointment today of long-time athletics administrator Jack Lengyel as interim athletics director at CU-Boulder, effective Dec. 1.
He replaces Dick Tharp, who resigned on Nov. 22 with his last day Tuesday (Nov. 30). Lengyel is only the fifth to hold the title of athletic director at Colorado, joining Harry Carlson (1927-65), Eddie Crowder (1965-84), Bill Marolt (1984-96) and Tharp (1996-2004).
Lengyel is expected to serve for a six-month period during which the campus will conduct a national search for the permanent position, said Provost Phil DiStefano. His salary as interim athletics director will be $16,000 per month.
"I am delighted that Jack Lengyel has agreed to serve in this position during this critical period," DiStefano said. "He brings to the job a tremendous range of experience and widespread respect for his leadership abilities. I look forward to working closely with him to implement the Athletics Action Plan, in anticipation of naming permanent leadership for the department in 2005."
CU-Boulder Chancellor Richard L. Byyny said, "Jack Lengyel has earned a national reputation for the utmost integrity and high standards of competition, as well as a deep commitment to academic performance. I am confident that our student-athletes, coaches and campus community will be well served by Jack Lengyel in the coming months."
Lengyel said he is looking forward to working with campus administrators and the Colorado athletics staff.
"Over the next few months, we plan to build a seamless transition for the permanent Director of Intercollegiate Athletics," Lengyel said. "With the leadership and assistance of the administration and the athletics department staff and coaches, we will move forward immediately to continue implementing the Action Plan and to aggressively address issues in all areas."
Lengyel has served both as athletics administrator and coach at several universities. He has been athletics director at the U.S. Naval Academy from 1988-2001, the University of Missouri from 1986-88 and Fresno State University from 1984-86. In the 1960s and 1970s, Lengyel coached football and other sports at various universities.
Most recently, he has been interim athletics director at Eastern Kentucky University and Temple University, as well as a consultant with a number of other athletics programs.
Lengyel has held leadership posts in numerous professional organizations, including the National Association of College Directors of Athletics, the Division 1-A Directors of Athletics Association, the College Football Association, NCAA, the Big Eight Conference and the National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame.
He holds a bachelor's degree from Akron University and a master's from Kent Sate University. He is married to Sandra Lengyel and they have three children: David Lengyel, Lt. Col., U.S. Marine Corps (reserves); Peter Lengyel, Commander, U.S. Navy; and Julie Logan, a jewelry designer. The couple has six grandchildren.
