The new bull on campus

Just eight weeks after college sports guru Gene Corrigan released his analysis of the UB athletics program, the school solved one of its most pressing issues this summer, hiring Warde Manuel as its new athletic director.

"We have selected a director of athletics who is thoroughly steeped in the world of intercollegiate sports at the highest level, and one who knows the critical importance of balancing athletic and academic excellence," said President John Simpson at a July press conference where UB announced Manuel's appointment.

Manuel has spent the last nine years at the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor, where he had been one of the school's seven assistant athletic directors since 1998.

"Basically I've been in Michigan for nine years, seven of that full time," said Manuel, who came to campus for the football team's media day earlier this month, but arrived for good on Monday. "I've learned a lot, and I was at Georgia Tech before that."

Chosen from a field of 40 applicants, Manuel was one of four finalists who toured the campus during the week of July 14.

Also part of that final four were Tom Burman of Portland State University, Frank Pergolizz of Southeastern Louisiana University, and Peter Pilling of Brigham Young University.

The other three candidates UB considered for the athletic director position had all served in several administrative positions throughout their careers. In fact, Manuel was the only one who had never been an athletic director.

During his time as an assistant athletic director at Michigan, Manuel raised millions of dollars in funding for the school. With an operating budget of $15 million, the sports Manuel oversaw at the university boasted $45 million in revenue.

Among his accomplishments, Manuel led a fundraising campaign for a new student athletic center, raising $14.5 million for a $12 million facility. Manuel is also credited with raising $19 million for facility renovations at Michigan over the past four years.

"We just built an academic center (at Michigan) and I think that is going to be extremely beneficial to our student-athletes," Manuel said. "It's something that they've needed since I've been here and it finally came into fruition for the university and its student-athletes."

Manuel said that when he toured the campus with the other three candidates, UB's athletic facilities surpassed his expectations.

"I thought that the facilities and everything around the program were more than above average," said Manuel. "I went there thinking the facilities weren't going to be on par, but I was impressed that they were above average."

A New Orleans native, Manuel has been affiliated with the University of Michigan off and on for nearly 20 years.

Manuel was a sophomore starter on the university's football team and earned his bachelor's degree in 1990. Following graduation he continued his education at Michigan where he obtained a graduate degree in social work in 1993 and then an MBA last April.

Manuel said that the most rewarding part of his experience with Michigan has come with his role in the building of the school's athletic programs.

"The success of our teams and the transition of basketball, as well as the success of football and being a big part of helping them do what they need to do to win is extremely enlightening to me," Manuel said. "The overall success of the department and being a small part of that leaves me with a sense that I have helped the coaches and the student athletes achieve their goals academically and athletically."

Although UB has not had a full-time athletic director since Robert Arkeilpane resigned in May 2003, Manuel will be replacing longtime interim director Bill Maher, who left UB in May to pursue the director of athletics position at his alma mater, Canisius College.

"Canisius had contacted me about their athletic director position and the timing was in advance of UB's," Maher said. "It was good for me, good for my career and good for my family."

President Simpson had said last semester that Maher was welcome to apply for the UB position once the Corrigan report was finished, but Maher opted for nearby Canisius before UB's search could begin.

As for Manuel, Simpson called his newest staff member "experienced" and "articulate" and highlighted his ability for management and fundraising.

"It's going to be a pleasure to have him in town," Simpson said.