Feb. 8, 2008

ATHENS, Ohio-Ohio Director of Athletics Kirby Hocutt has announced his resignation to accept the director of athletics position at the University of Miami, both schools announced today.

"Kirby has done much to take our Department of Athletics to a higher level, and we are very appreciative for all of the accomplishments we have seen in our department during his tenure," Ohio University President Roderick J. McDavis said. "It's very unfortunate that we cannot have his leadership in our department for a longer period of time. We understand, however, that is the risk we run when hiring good people."

Plans for Hocutt's successor will be announced in the near future.

In two and half years at Ohio, Hocutt led the Bobcats' program with a commitment to building championship-caliber programs and supporting the academic and athletic endeavors of Ohio's student-athletes.

"My family and I are very excited for the tremendous opportunity to join the University of Miami," Hocutt said. "At the same time, I feel very privileged that President McDavis extended to me the opportunity to lead the Ohio Athletics Department. The relationships and memories that we have built at Ohio will last a lifetime.

"I would like to thank the entire university and Athens community for their support, loyalty and sense of commitment to Ohio Athletics," he said.

Under Hocutt's leadership, Bobcat teams won six MAC titles, and the football program claimed its first MAC East Division championship, made its first appearance in the MAC Championship Game and earned a bowl berth for the first time since 1968.

In 2006-07, the Bobcats claimed the Mid-American Conference's Jacoby Trophy, recognizing the best all-around women's program in the league, for the second time in school history. Ohio's cross country, field hockey and volleyball programs won MAC titles, while the women's soccer and women's swimming and diving programs posted runner-up finishes.

So far this year, Ohio has won MAC titles in women's cross country and field hockey. The volleyball program captured the regular-season conference crown and hosted first- and second-round NCAA Tournament games.

The competitive success translated into increased support for Ohio Athletics. Football season ticket sales increased 90 percent in the past two years, while men's basketball season ticket sales increased 50 percent under Hocutt's leadership.

Annual giving to Bobcat athletics saw tremendous growth under Hocutt's leadership. In 2006, the Ohio Bobcat Club was formed to serve as the fund-raising arm of Ohio Athletics. In its first year, the group surpassed both its fund-raising and membership goals, raising more than $610,000 in support of Ohio Athletics. That amount represented a 75 percent increase in annual giving from fiscal year 2006 and an 81 percent increase in unrestricted annual giving.

Earlier this year, Ohio Athletics announced the creation of the Ohio Athletics Operational Endowment Campaign, acknowledging the receipt of $1.4 million toward a $2.5 million goal.

Hocutt also met challenges during his tenure, including the need to eliminate four sports in January 2007 to strengthen Ohio Athletics' financial and Title IX positions.

He led the development of a long-term master facilities plan that will ensure the Bobcats' venues remain among the best in the Mid-American Conference. Facility upgrades during his time at Ohio have included the Peden Tower Renovation Project and the Convocation Center's new Schorr Weight Room.

Ohio Athletics remains a national and conference leader in academics. All of Ohio's athletic teams scored above the NCAA mandatory minimum of 925 on the Academic Progress Report (APR) released in May 2007, with volleyball and men's golf recording perfect APR marks of 1,000. Those teams were two of nine that ranked in the 70th percentile or better within their sport and contributed to the total of seven programs that finished in the 70^th percentile or higher within all sports. Each of the Bobcats' men's programs scored above the national average within its sport. In all, 11 Ohio teams exceeded the national average. Thirteen Bobcat teams scored at or above the national average for public institutions, including all men's sports.

The Bobcats had a total NCAA Graduation Success Rate (GSR) score of 83 percent in 2007 and 82 percent in 2006, putting Ohio among the top public institutions in the country. Men's golf, women's golf and field hockey boasted perfect GSR scores of 100 percent both years, and women's swimming and diving had a perfect score in 2007. In 2006, the 83 percent mark posted by the men's basketball program was the best in the Mid-American Conference.

Hocutt also was active in the Mid-American Conference and the community. He served on the MAC postseason subcomittee and the MAC infractions committee and co-chaired the league's volleyball coaches committee. Hocutt also served as the honorary chairman for the 2006 and 2007 March of Dimes Walk America in Athens County.

Before joining Ohio, Hocutt spent six years at the University of Oklahoma, most recently as associate athletics director for external operations and sports administration.

A former student-athlete at Kansas State, Hocutt was a four-year letterman as a linebacker while leading the Big 8 Conference in tackles and being named to the All-Big 8 Conference team during his junior season. The Sporting News selected him in 1993 as one of the top 20 "underrated" players in the nation.