Athletic Director Mike Strickland to retire at the end of June

Athletic Director Mike Strickland will be retiring at the end of June, according to an email sent by President Bob Fisher to faculty and staff.

Strickland arrived at Belmont in 1996, and oversaw the program as it “expanded the number of teams it fields from 11 to 17, transitioned from NAIA directly to NCAA Division I independent to the Atlantic Sun Conference and now the Ohio Valley Conference,” the email said.

In an announcement released by Belmont Athletics on Monday afternoon, Strickland called it an “honor and a privilege” to be a part of the Belmont community and to help build an atmosphere of growth for student athletes

“Reflecting upon the last 20 years, I could not have worked alongside a more devoted team of coaches and staff; a group that set aside personal goals for the betterment of the athletic department as a whole. Many of my fondest memories and most treasured relationships have been forged on this campus, and I look forward to enriching those for years to come,” he said.

The retirement will go into effect on June 30. Vice President and Chief of Staff Dr. Susan West will oversee the process of identifying a new director for the program, who may be hired by early summer, the email said.

More information will be added to this story as it is available. Photo courtesy of Belmont Athletics.