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Loyola is proud to announce Steve Watson as its next Director of Athletics

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Steve Watson Named Director of Athletics At Loyola

Nov. 12, 2014

CHICAGO - Loyola University Chicago has announced the hiring of Steve Watson as the school's Director of Intercollegiate Athletics. Watson comes to Loyola after seven years as the Director of Athletics at St. Bonaventure University. A well-rounded, well-respected administrator, Watson has 16 years of experience in intercollegiate administration under his belt. No start date has been set.

"Before I say anything about Loyola, I would like to thank all of the amazing people I have worked with at St. Bonaventure," said Watson. "Our athletics staff and coaches are second to none. It has been a privilege to work side-by-side with some of the best in the business. St. Bonaventure President Sr. Margaret Carney, O.S.F. gave me the opportunity to come home almost eight years ago and for that I will be forever grateful."

"When I first spoke with Tom Kelly (Sr. Vice President for Administrative Services) about Loyola, I knew very quickly that this could be the perfect fit," continued Watson. "It is a great school, in a great city, with great people. Much like the Atlantic 10, the Missouri Valley is an outstanding conference with a reputation for high-level basketball. I cannot thank Loyola President and CEO Michael J. Garanzini, S.J. and Tom enough for this opportunity and I am really looking forward to getting started."

Named to his post at St. Bonaventure in 2007, athletics has thrived under Watson's leadership. The men's basketball program, under one of Watson's first hires, Mark Schmidt, has enjoyed a renaissance, winning the first Atlantic-10 Conference title in school history in 2012 and returning to the NCAA Tournament for the first time in 12 years. The women's program has also taken off, reaching the postseason five times in seven years, including a watershed 2011-12 season that saw the team finish with a program-best 31-4 record, complete with a trip to the NCAA Sweet Sixteen. As important, the Bonnies have been able to maintain a high level of competitiveness in one of the country's top basketball leagues.

"Steve Watson brings tremendous experience and enthusiasm to Loyola," said Father Garanzini. "He impressed us with his ability to build and sustain a successful intercollegiate athletic program, especially in basketball. We look to him to lead our University efforts to engage and energize the campus and the community in our Ramblers' success."

While the basketball programs have taken center stage, several other programs have enjoyed a tremendous amount of success under Watson. St. Bonaventure's women's soccer team has qualified for the conference tournament in six straight seasons and its men's and women's cross country teams have enjoyed their best-ever seasons.

Academic success has come hand-in-hand with the school's on-field improvement, as St. Bonaventure's graduation rates and Academic Progress Rate (APR) numbers have continued to climb.

In addition, Watson has been instrumental in helping with facility improvements for Bonnies athletics, most notably spearheading a $2 million upgrade to the university's multi-purpose field for soccer, lacrosse and club rugby that was unveiled this fall. That project was part of St. Bonaventure's athletics strategic plan entitled "Your Teams, Our Extraordinary Future" that Watson co-chaired in 2012. He has also overseen the construction of a new $300,000 women's basketball locker room, a $200,000 renovation of the men's basketball locker room, and the unveiling of Bob Lanier Court at the Reilly Center, which featured a new court, scoreboards and sound system while also serving as a tribute to St. Bonaventure's most famous alumnus.

Watson moved into the first chair after a six-year stint (2001-07) at Eastern Michigan University, one year as Assistant Athletics Director for Facilities & Operations and five years as Associate Athletics Director for Internal Operations. While in Ypsilanti, Watson was the athletic program administrator for 12 programs while also overseeing the marketing/promotions, sports information, strength and conditioning and equipment departments.

Prior to Eastern Michigan, Watson served as the Director of Marketing & Promotions at the University of Dayton (1999-2001) after getting his start in intercollegiate athletics as a Marketing Assistant at the University of Georgia (1998-99).

Watson moved into athletic administration after a successful basketball-playing career. He played two seasons at Rutgers before transferring to Bowling Green for his final two years, after which he embarked on a seven-year professional career overseas that included stops in France, Portugal and Taiwan.

He graduated from Bowling Green in 1990 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Interpersonal & Public Communications and went on to earn a Master of Sport Administration degree from Ohio University in 1998.

A native of Franklinville, N.Y., the 46-year-old Watson and his wife, Ann, have three children; Abby (19), Allison (16) and Jackson (13).

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