Heeke Named UA Vice President for Athletics
As athletics director at Central Michigan University for the past 11 years, he brings experience in leadership, budget development, fundraising, compliance and sport supervision.

Arizona Athletics
Feb. 25, 2017


Dave Heeke, an athletics department leader with a strong background nationally and in the Pac-12 Conference, has been named University of Arizona vice president for athletics pending Arizona Board of Regents approval of the contract, UA President Ann Weaver Hart announced on Saturday. A news conference to introduce Heeke to media has been scheduled for Thursday on campus.

A 28-year veteran in college athletics, Heeke (pronounced Hee-key) has extensive experience in all aspects of the field, having served for the last 11 years as athletics director at Central Michigan University and the previous 18 years in the Oregon athletics department, finishing his tenure there as senior associate athletics director/chief of staff. 

"I am pleased and excited that Dave has accepted the position," Hart said. "I was impressed by his sustained level of accomplishment in promoting superior academic and athletic achievements by student-athletes and his ability to rally record levels of fundraising for facility improvements in all sports. He has experience at the highest levels of competitive college sports and he is an acknowledged national leader among NCAA athletic directors. Dave is a perfect match for our Wildcat family."

Cedric Dempsey and Kathleen "Rocky" LaRose, former UA directors of athletics, assisted Hart during an extensive national search that included communication with about 65 nominees and candidates. Dempsey and LaRose helped to identify and screen potential candidates, and LaRose will oversee the department's transition to the new athletics director. 

"I couldn't be more excited to be part of the Arizona Athletics family. It is truly an honor to be named the new vice president for athletics and have the opportunity to return to the prestigious Pac-12 Conference," Heeke said. "I want to thank Dr. Hart and those involved with the search process for their confidence in my ability to lead one of the premier athletics departments in the country. This program is about excellence and we will continue to focus on achieving at the very highest level athletically and academically, while creating the finest experience in the country for our student-athletes. I also want to thank all of the terrific people at Central Michigan University who have been so wonderful to our family during my time in Mount Pleasant. Arizona has developed a storied history and tradition and I'm looking forward to being a part of the next chapter in Tucson. I can't wait to Bear Down." 

Heeke has developed a wide-ranging understanding of college athletics that includes a number of vital roles. He has experience in department leadership, budget development, fundraising, compliance and sport supervision, among other areas. He has hired 16 head coaches in various sports and made difficult changes when necessary. Heeke has also been heavily involved in facilities master planning and funding, as well as university and external relations. 

"Dave Heeke is an outstanding hire for the University of Arizona," said Greg Byrne, who served as Arizona's athletics director from 2010-2017. "His vast experience working with student-athletes, coaches, staff, fans and university communities at CMU and in the Pac-12 makes Dave the perfect selection. I want to commend President Hart, the Arizona Board of Regents and those involved in the search on bringing Dave to Tucson." 

While athletics director at CMU, Heeke instilled his vision of a championship culture, which included athletic success, academic excellence, national media exposure, record fundraising and a commitment to facilities. The department twice was honored with the Cartwright Award, which recognizes the Mid-American Conference's top overall institution based on excellence in academics, athletics and citizenship. Under Heeke's leadership, CMU earned the Reese Trophy, which honors the top MAC men's athletic program, three times and finished as the runner-up for the Jacoby Trophy, which honors the top MAC women's athletic program, four times. In addition, the football team qualified for bowl games in eight of his 11 years at CMU.

The athletic exploits of CMU's student-athletes are matched by their academic accomplishments. All of CMU's sports programs have exceeded NCAA Academic Progress Rate (APR) standards, while the department has posted an 81 percent Graduation Success Rate (GSR). The cumulative student-athlete GPA has surpassed 3.0 for 11 consecutive years, and the Chippewas have earned the MAC's Institutional Academic Achievement Award 10 times.

Facilities upgrades and renovations for all sports were staples under Heeke's leadership at CMU, highlighted by his coordination of a private campaign for $22 million in renovations to the basketball arena and fitness center. The project included a complete renovation of the arena in the Rose Center, as well as the addition of a dynamic entryway and new practice facilities for basketball, volleyball and wrestling. Heeke oversaw the planning and design of a $6 million lacrosse and soccer stadium, which opened in the fall of 2015, as well as $10 million in renovations for other facilities.


During Heeke's 18 years at the University of Oregon, he assisted the athletics director with the daily operation of the Ducks' $40 million budget and 17 sports. Heeke served on the AD's executive staff and was responsible for strategic planning and financial models. In addition to representing the AD at university and conference meetings, he managed all facets of internal operations, while being responsible for revenue generation through external operations units. He assisted in a $95 million football stadium expansion as well as the construction of a $14 million football practice facility and a $5 million soccer stadium.


A native of East Lansing, Michigan, Heeke received a bachelor's degree from Albion College in 1985 and a master's degree from Ohio State University in 1987. At Albion, he was a co-captain of the baseball team and a member of the club hockey team. He was a three-sport athlete at East Lansing High School and received the Distinguished Alumni Award from the East Lansing Educational Foundation in 2007. Heeke and his wife, Liz, have three boys, Ryan, Max and Zach. 

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WHAT THEY'RE SAYING ABOUT DAVE HEEKE

"Dave has moved CMU's athletic program significantly forward in his 11 years here. He spoke during his interviews of creating a championship culture, and he's achieved that. Our student-athletes, coaches and staff understand the leadership, integrity and excellence they represent on the field and court, as well as in academics and serving others." — George E. Ross, Central Michigan University president
 
"Dave is one of the outstanding athletics directors in the country. He is experienced, value-based and operates with loads of integrity. I look forward to following his career at the University of Arizona." — John Steinbrecher, Mid-American Conference commissioner
 
"Great hire! I'm very happy for Dave and Liz. I believe he will bring a lot to the University of Arizona and will be a great addition to the Pac-12. Dave was an integral part of my administration at Oregon and is one of the premier ADs in the country. He has outstanding character and integrity and I'm happy for the UA. It will be great to see him out in the West again." — Bill Moos, Washington State University director of athletics
 
"I've known Dave for some time and he is an incredible individual, very dedicated, and engaging with the student-athletes and the community. He brings outstanding assets to the university and the entire community. I'm very happy for him, Tucson and the University of Arizona." — Mark Hollis, Michigan State University athletics director 

"The University of Arizona hired one of the premier athletics directors in the country. Dave has the ability to connect with people and has a vision that is second to none. Above all else, he and his family are great people. Dave will be a tremendous asset to the university community, city of Tucson and the entire state of Arizona." — Butch Jones, University of Tennessee head football coach

"I've known Dave Heeke for nearly 30 years. I've always been impressed with his ability to communicate ideas, energy and excitement to people. I think it's infectious when you're around him. He loves and understands athletics and what makes it go — the people, the facilities and the energy that is necessary to have a program continue at a high level. I'm very excited to hear that he will take on this role. It will be great for Arizona and the Pac-12. He's a wonderful person with a wonderful family, and he has the right outlook on life to be very successful at Arizona." — Mike Bellotti, former University of Oregon head football coach

"Simply put, Dave Heeke is the complete package as an athletics director. The University of Arizona hit a home run with this hire." — Tad Boyle, University of Colorado head men's basketball coach

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Jeremy Sharpe

Arizona Athletics

520-621-4163

jeremysharpe@arizona.edu