University of Massachusets Athletics
UMass A.D. John McCutcheon Agrees to Extension Through 2012
August 01, 2007 | General
Aug. 1, 2007
AMHERST, Mass. - University of Massachusetts Chancellor John Lombardi has announced the University and Director of Athletics John McCutcheon have agreed to a three-year extension that will run through February 29, 2012. McCutcheon became the sixth permanent A.D. at UMass, after being hired on February 4, 2004. His original contract ran through February 28, 2009.
"UMass Amherst athletics has had a remarkable series of successful seasons with the leadership of John McCutcheon," said Lombardi. "His support of the coaches and student-athletes, his effective improvement of facilities, his leadership in fundraising, and his high standards have moved UMass Athletics dramatically into its current winning mode. The university is fortunate to have his continued commitment."
McCutcheon has spearheaded the department's efforts to upgrade facilities both on and off the field of play. In the past three years, annual donations and corporate sponsorships are at the highest levels ever, making these and other improvements possible.
UMass teams have experienced tremendous success, as the men's lacrosse and football teams played in the NCAA National Championship games in 2006, while the softball team continued to win Atlantic 10 titles and advance to the NCAA Tournament. The ice hockey team made its first trip to the NCAA Tournament in 2007 and won a first-round game. The men's basketball team won a postseason game for the first time since the Final Four year of 1996, beating Alabama in the NIT in March 2006.
Additionally, attendance is up in every sport from four years ago, most by more than 50 percent. In 2006-07, UMass had its first sellout football game since 1973 and sold out a men's basketball game for the first time in six years at the Mullins Center.
"I am extremely pleased to have been given the opportunity to lead the UMass Athletic program in the future," said McCutcheon, who oversees and directs all operations for UMass' 23 varsity sports and athletic sport services, as well as over 150 full-time and part-time staff. "This is a wonderful institution and we have only started to realize what the athletic department can accomplish."
McCutcheon is only the sixth permanent athletic director at UMass since 1911. The five previous directors were Curry Starr Hicks (1911-1948), Warren P. McGuirk (1948-1971), Frank McInerney (1972-1992), Bob Marcum, (1993-2002), and Ian McCaw (2002-2003).
McCutcheon, 55, came to UMass from California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo, where he was the director of athletics for a 20-sport varsity program from 1992-2004. During his time at Cal Poly, McCutcheon coordinated the school's reclassification from Division II to Division I-AA and secured membership in the Big West Conference. Cal Poly teams won 15 conference championships during McCutcheon's tenure, with 11 teams and 45 individuals advancing to NCAA postseason competition.
A member of the National Association of College Directors of Athletics since 1992, McCutcheon was also a member of the Collegiate Athletic Business Managers Association from 1978-1992. He is currently a member of the NCAA I-AA Football Committee, and has served on the NCAA Management Council, the Division I-AA Athletic Directors Association Executive Committee and the Big West Conference Executive Committee.
Prior to his time at Cal Poly, McCutcheon spent 12 years at Boston College. He served as associate athletic director for business and operations from June of 1991 to August of 1992; assistant athletic director from July of 1988 to June of 1991; and athletic business manager from July of 1980 to July of 1988. He was also assistant athletic manager at the University of Maine from July of 1977 to July of 1980.