Since Alan Verlander has taken over as Director of Athletics, JU athletics has gained stature and prominence in the community and recognition nationwide.

Verlander, who spent the five years as associate athletic director at Samford University, has been a breath of fresh air for JU athletics and the results have been astounding.

In his two years on the job, JU has laid claim to nine Atlantic Sun Conference titles and made eleven appearances in NCAA Tournaments. Additionally, the crew program captured the state championship in 2007.

A highlight in his first year, JU hosted the first and second rounds of the NCAA Tournament and successfully bid on having the tournament return to Jacksonville in 2010.

JU facilities have been overhauled as well. Baseball's John Sessions Stadium has been expanded with the addition of the state-of-the-art scoreboard/videoboard. JU has also seen the creation of the Keith Watson Family Tennis Complex, a facelift to the Ashley Sports Complex - home to the men's and women's soccer teams and the construction of the $3 million Negaard Rowing Center on the St. Johns River.

He also led the effort in returning JU basketball to the "Downtown" area, as the Dolphins now call the Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena their home. Since moving the home games to the Arena, JU has seen its average attendance double since his first season.

The 2007-08 season saw JU finish second in the conference in average home attendance and had the largest crowd, close to 7,000 fans, since a sellout against North Carolina in the early 1990s.

In addition to facility upgrades, Verlander has worked hard to get all 18 teams successful in the classroom as well. Upon his hire, 10 teams were under the 925 NCAA APR (Academic Progress Rate) bar. In 2008, only three teams will be below the 925 mark.

"My goals are to provide structure and leadership and to help this athletic department grow and develop into a shining light for this institution and the Jacksonville community," Verlander said. "We are building on the great history and tradition of JU athletics while making our own history right now."

Verlander, 36, is a Jacksonville native who worked at the University of North Florida and with the Gator Bowl Association before leaving the First Coast in 1997. He is a 1990 graduate of the Bolles School and his grandfather, Ash Verlander, served as Chairman of JU's Board of Trustees from 1982-85.

Verlander is responsible for the planning and development of the Dolphin intercollegiate athletic program. His responsibilities include selection and management of coaching and administrative staff, development and management of the department's $7 million annual operating budget, fundraising, marketing and promotions, academic enhancement and support, compliance with conference and NCAA regulations, supervision of athletic events and oversight of recruitment and retention of student-athletes.

Verlander spent five years as associate athletic director for external operations at Samford, where he oversaw the Samford Athletic Foundation, facility improvements, the corporate partnership program, ticket sales, athletic media relations, marketing & promotions, broadcast operations, licensing & merchandising and the Bulldogs' official athletic web site.

During his tenure at Samford, the Bulldogs saw dramatic increases in individual and corporate giving, as well as record attendance and ticket sales in nearly every sport. Samford-branded merchandise also experienced record growth, while the Bulldogs' television, radio and Internet coverage was enhanced and expanded to include football, men's and women's basketball, baseball, softball, women's soccer and volleyball.

Prior to working at Samford, Verlander spent two years as national sales executive for Host Communications in Atlanta, where he was responsible for securing corporate partners for the Southeastern and Big 12 Conferences, in addition to all colleges and universities represented by Host.

Verlander was the director of marketing and promotions for the Gator Bowl Association in Jacksonville from April of 1995 until July of 1997. He directed all sales of corporate sponsors, which totaled more than $1.8 million, while also managing game operations and serving as a liaison with NBC and the Atlantic Coast and Big East Conferences.

Verlander graduated with his B.A. in speech communications from Samford in 1994, where he earned three varsity letters in baseball. He obtained a master's degree in Strategic Communication and Leadership from Seton Hall University in 2007. He and his wife, Bonnie, have four daughters: Abby (10), Kate (8), Maggie (5) and Mary (4).

Jacksonville University Athletic Directors

1953-67	-- Dr. Roland L. Rourke
1967-81	-- Dr. Judson B. Harris, Jr.
1981-86	-- Paul S. Griffin
1986-92	-- Donald O. Jacobs
1992-00	-- Thomas M. Seitz
2000-04	-- Hugh N. Durham*
2004-05	-- Dr. John A. Balog^
2005-pres.	-- Alan Verlander

*Interim A.D. (2000-01)
^Acting athletic director