February 1, 2021

Subject: Search for Director of Athletics Position

Dear Members of the Kent State University Community:

Kent State today is launching a national search for the university’s next leader of the Department of Intercollegiate Athletics.

A 12-member search committee led by Lamar R. Hylton, Ph.D., vice president for student affairs, has been appointed to recruit and screen highly qualified candidates for the director of athletics position.

Kent State is blessed with talented student-athletes, coaches, employees, alumni and supporters who embrace our athletics philosophy of graduating student-athletes and winning championships. We are pleased that stellar individuals have agreed to serve on the search committee. I am confident that with their leadership, and with the leadership of search chair Vice President Hylton, we will hire an outstanding leader to continue the Golden Flashes’ tradition of academic and competitive success.

The search committee will begin its work this week by crafting a position profile, including qualifications and characteristics desired in the next athletic director. A search website has been created and can be accessed by the Kent State community for updates. CarrSports Consulting LLC will assist in the search process. The firm has extensive experience in conducting national searches for athletic directors for more than 20 years, and its client list includes many Mid-American Conference (MAC) and NCAA Division I institutions.

The search committee seeks feedback from the university community and the public regarding the qualifications, characteristics and experiences we should seek in our next athletic director. Faculty, staff, students and the public are invited to offer suggestions and perspectives by completing an online survey, and nominations, expressions of interest and information requests may be submitted to KentStateSearch@CarrSportsConsulting.com.

Please join me in thanking Vice President Hylton and all the members of the search committee for their willingness to lead in recruiting an outstanding individual for this important role. We expect the selected individual will be in place no later than July 1, 2021.

Again, we extend our gratitude to Director of Athletics Joel Nielsen for his dedication to Kent State since 2010 and for sharing his plans to conclude his service at the end of this year, enabling this smooth transition. Director Nielsen has been a steady hand in leading and growing Kent State Athletics, and our student-athletes have benefited from his tireless service. His is a powerful legacy of student success both on and off the field.

Sincerely,

Todd Diacon
President