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UC’s new athletic director may restore academic emphasis

On December 1, longtime UC Athletic Director Bob Goins will be stepping down. Five-year Director of Akron’s athletic department, Mike Thomas will replace him. Thomas’s resume comprises twenty years of administrative experience in college athletics, seven of which he spent bringing yearly top 25 finishes in the national Director’s Cup standings, as well as top ten rankings in national student/athlete graduation rates.

Under Thomas’ command, Akron rose from last to second place in both the Mid-American Conference Director’s Cup rankings and the MAC Academic Achievement awards. While in Akron, Thomas’ oversaw facility reconstruction and renovation to the tune of $140 million.

Thomas, 45, received his BS degree in Business Administration from Colorado State University in 1983, and his MS degree in Athletic Administration from Western Illinois University in 1986.