Mike Thomas (athletic director)

Michael J. "Mike" Thomas is an American university administrator, and most recently served as the athletic director at the University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign. Prior to this position, Thomas was the athletic director at the University of Cincinnati from 2005-2011, and the athletic director at the University of Akron from 2000-2005. Previously, he served as an associate athletic director at the University of Virginia and the University of Denver, and spent a year at the University of Iowa as an administrative intern.

Twice during his career Thomas has won the Robert R. Neyland Outstanding Athletics Director Award, once in 2005 while at the University of Akron and again in April 2008 while at Cincinnati.

Early life, education and family

Thomas was born in Pueblo, CO and graduated from Pueblo South High School in 1978. He earned his bachelor's degree in Business Administration from Colorado State University in 1983, and his master's degree in Physical Education/Athletic Administration from Western Illinois University in 1986.

Thomas is married to the former Jeni Arends from Manchester, Iowa, and has four adult children.

Career

University of Illinois

Thomas was named Director of Athletics at the University of Illinois in August, 2011. During his first year at Illinois he replaced the football coach and both the men's and women's basketball coaches, and hired Tim Beckman, John Groce, and Matt Bollant, respectively. Thomas launched the $170-million State Farm Center renovation project, including a landmark $60-million naming rights agreement that was the largest for a college-only venue in the country.

Thomas also led several other facility projects, including enhancements to Memorial Stadium and Huff Hall, and the construction of a new outdoor golf facility. Thomas signed a 10-year, $60-million dollar contract with Learfield Sports and guided Illinois through an 18-month collaboration with Nike, resulting in all new marks and branding.

On November 9, 2015, Thomas was fired without cause from the University of Illinois.^[1]

University of Cincinnati

The University of Cincinnati named Thomas as its athletic director on October 20, 2005. Thomas was charged with the competitive rebuilding of the Bearcats Program by then President Nancy Zimpher. During his tenure in Cincinnati, Thomas hired men's basketball coach Mick Cronin, and football head coaches Brian Kelly and Butch Jones. Cincinnati Football enjoyed the greatest success in its history under these coaches, winning several Big East titles and advancing to the school's only BCS Bowl Games in the 2009 FedEx Orange Bowl and the 2010 Allstate Sugar Bowl, which capped the undefeated 12-0 regular season.

Thomas increased the graduate success rate and the APR, and under his direction UC was one of the leaders in the Big East conference for academic success. Membership in the school's athletic fundraising arm increased by almost 300% under Thomas' tenure, and funds were raised for several capital projects. He was recognized as the Cincinnati Sports Executive of the Year in 2010.

University of Akron

Thomas was named Director of Athletics at the University of Akron in October of 2000. Under his direction, Akron rose from last place to second among MAC schools in the Director's Cup rankings, and simultaneously rose from last to second place in the MAC academic achievement awards. He increased corporate sponsorship levels by 750%.

Thomas replaced Lee Owens, the football coach, with JD Brookhart. The Zips went on to win their first MAC football championship. Thomas' hire of men's basketball coach Keith Dambrot has led to unparallel success, including eight postseason appearances in the last ten years.

Other career positions

Prior to his time at Akron, he was associate athletics director at the University of Virginia and also served on the athletics staffs at the University of Denver and the University of Iowa.