FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
INDIANAPOLIS — Finalists in the search for a new director of athletics at Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis will meet with campus groups this week. The search committee, chaired by Jeffrey A. Dean, senior advisor to the chancellor, has identified three finalists who will meet with faculty, staff, students and community members Oct. 7-9.
The new director of athletics will succeed Michael Moore, who resigned his position in August after 19 years of service. Moore navigated IUPUI to the NCAA Division I level, doubled the sport offerings from nine programs to the current 18 teams and helped IUPUI earn league affiliation in The Summit League. Veteran athletics administrator Alfreeda Goff has served as interim director of athletics since late August.
Short biographies for each finalist, as well as the scheduled times for their public and media presentations in the Campus Center Theater, appear below:
Joe Manhertz
Oct. 7, 3-4 p.m.
Manhertz currently serves as the assistant athletic director and executive director of Iron Dukes Major Gifts at Duke University. He has secured over $254 million toward Duke’s $3.25 billion Duke Forward Campaign and launched the Athletics Major Gift office with emphasis on philanthropy, managing a team of development officers while overseeing their day-to-day development and solicitation efforts. Additionally, Manhertz has oversight of the premium seating for the new Blue Devil Tower at Brooks Field at Wallace Wade Stadium and revenue-generating donor events surrounding home football and basketball games. Manhertz earned his bachelor’s degree from Colgate University and his master’s degree in sport management from The Ohio State University. He previously served as director of development at Ohio State and has held development posts at Syracuse University and Hamilton College.
Jim Sarra
Oct. 8, 3-4 p.m.
Sarra currently serves as deputy director of athletics at the University of Texas at San Antonio. Under his leadership, the department has seen an increase in the number of student-athletes achieving a GPA of 3.0 or higher, as well as an increase in the number of student-athletes named to the Conference USA Commissioner’s Academic Honor Roll. Sarra earned both his bachelor’s degree in elementary education and his master’s degree in advanced teacher education from St. Bonaventure University. He also earned a master’s degree in sport management from Western Illinois University. Sarra previously served as senior associate director of athletics for external affairs, associate athletics director for administration and assistant athletics director for compliance at UTSA. He also served as senior associate athletics director for compliance and student services at the University of Maryland.
Roderick Perry
Oct. 9, 2:15-3:15 p.m.
Perry currently serves as deputy director of athletics at Wright State University, where he oversees a $10 million budget. He was instrumental in signing the first department-wide apparel contract with Impact Sports to wear the Nike brand exclusively. Perry earned both his bachelor’s degree in health promotion, with an emphasis in sports administration, and his master’s degree in higher education administration from Auburn University. He received his Ph.D. in educational leadership, with a concentration in higher education administration, from the University of Dayton. He previously served as senior associate athletic director at Wright State University, as associate athletic director for compliance and student services at Ohio University, and as assistant athletic director for academic services at Wright State.
Following the finalists’ visits on campus, the search committee will make a recommendation to IUPUI Chancellor Nasser Paydar, who will make the final selection.
IUPUI Athletics competes at the NCAA Division I level and is a member of The Summit League. The department was formed in 1972 and ascended to the Division I level in 1998. IUPUI Athletics consists of more than 250 student-athletes spanning 18 varsity sports. Academically, the department has maintained a 3.0 grade point average for 13 consecutive semesters and has been recognized nationally for academic prowess. Athletically, the department has produced two NCAA National Champions and more than 20 All-Americans.