Patrick Nero, George Washington’s athletic director, will step down, bringing to a close a more than six-year tenure.
Nero informed the university of his intentions Dec. 13, but said he will be available through the spring semester. Tanya Vogel, the school’s deputy athletic director and Title IX coordinator, will serve as interim athletic director.
In a statement, Nero said it has been an honor to the serve the university. “I am proud of my contributions toward the success of the athletics program at GW and looking forward to seeing where the future of GW athletics leads as I pursue the next phase of my career.”
Since Nero’s hiring in April 2011, 13 different GW athletics teams won championships in their respective sports, with 22 championships won in all and 18 Coach of the Year honors accumulated.
Nero also oversaw successful runs by both the women’s and men’s basketball teams. The women’s team saw consecutive appearances in the NCAA tournament, while the men’s team reached the tournament in 2014 after missing it for six straight seasons.
Nero said the time was right for him, as well as the university, to make a change. “It allows for fresh perspective and ideas to continue the momentum the department has gained these past six years,” Nero said.
