Ralph named AD at Southwestern University

Orono, Maine - University of Maine director of athletics has been named athletic director at Southwestern University, effective Sept. 15. Ralph will continue his duties at UMaine through Aug. 31.

Ralph has directed the UMaine Department of Athletics since Sept. 1, 2018.

"It has been my honor to represent our students, faculty, staff and alumni in this role for the past four years," says Ralph. "We have won championships, managed through a pandemic, and initiated an ambitious athletics facility master plan. We are fortunate to have a staff of outstanding professionals who will keep the momentum going. The Athletic Department at UMaine is on very strong footing."

An interim athletic director will be named and a national search will be launched to fill the position.

"We appreciate the leadership and vision Ken has provided to bring the state's only Division I program to its current level of excellence and equity, and we wish him the best in the next chapter of his career," says UMaine President Joan Ferrini-Mundy. "We have so much to be proud of - and to look forward to in UMaine Athletics, which plays such a critical role in the University of Maine student experience and in Maine. The future of UMaine Athletics is bright with its world-class scholar-athletes, coaches and staff, loyal Black Bear fans and a transformative investment by the Harold Alfond Foundation."

Prior to his time at UMaine, Ralph served an 11-year stint as director of athletics at Colorado College and was the director of athletics at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute from 2002-07.

"I am very grateful to President Ferrini-Mundy for her unwavering support of me during my time in Orono," says Ralph. She afforded me new opportunities to grow and learn but most importantly she gave me the runway to pursue the transformative facilities plan which will serve our students and our community for many years to come. I am also thankful to Chancellor Malloy for his enthusiastic pursuit of the UMS Transforms initiatives and his support of athletics throughout the UMaine System. Likewise, I am grateful for the generous support from our alumni, sponsors, fans, supporters, volunteers, and donors, especially from our friends at the Harold Alfond Foundation who have done so much for me and for UMaine Athletics."

Over the four-year stint under Ralph's leadership, the Black Bears captured numerous championships and achieved academic excellence. Ralph also spearheaded an effort to acquire a transformative $90 million capital gift that will support UMaine's Athletics Facilities Master Plan. The gift, one of the top 10 largest single gifts ever presented to an athletic department, will be used to provide modern facilities for all 17 varsity programs at the University of Maine.

"While it is difficult to leave Maine, I am excited about my new opportunity and a return to the residential liberal arts environment," continued Ralph. "Maine is fortunate to have an immensely talented coaching staff and a highly trained support staff. The next AD will walk into a situation where they will be well positioned to meet the challenges of a Division I environment."

The top-ranked liberal arts university in Texas, Southwestern is a member of the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference, the same league as Ralph's former institution, Colorado College. The Pirates sponsor 20 NCAA varsity programs and have over 500 student-athletes.

-UMaine-

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