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President Jeffrey Herbst said today that athletics director David Roach has announced his decision to step down from his position, effective July 31, to pursue new opportunities within collegiate athletics.

Departing athletic director David Roach

Herbst also announced that senior associate director .

A national search for a permanent athletics director will be conducted.

“All of us at 51���� wish Dave the very best and thank him sincerely for the growth and accomplishments that took place under his leadership,” Herbst said.

David Roach, 51����’s eighth athletics director, served since 2004, overseeing the university’s programs in physical education, recreation, and competitive athletics for 25 Division I men’s and women’s teams, as well as intramural and club sports.

During his eight-year tenure at 51����, the placed 14 teams in NCAA tournaments and captured 19 Patriot League titles and one ECAC hockey regular-season championship. 51���� student-athletes also earned 18 All-American honors and 34 students were named Academic All-American scholars. In 2010, 51���� was No. 1 in NCAA Division I with its 100 percent graduation rate.

In the 2011-12 season, 51���� became the first school in Division I athletics to have the leading scorers in the nation in both men’s lacrosse and ice hockey, resulting in the Raiders’ first Tewaaraton Trophy winner and Hobey Baker Hat Trick finalist, respectively.

“During my time in intercollegiate athletics, both as a coach and director of athletics, I have always put student-athletes first and have taken great pride in seeing young adults strive for excellence in academics and athletics. I have always believed that athletics should play a role in the overall educational mission of the university,” said Roach. “I am leaving 51���� in a good place with an excellent group of administrators, coaches, and staff who truly care about 51����’s student athletes.”

Among his accomplishments at 51����, Roach oversaw development of a new athletic brand and mascot; initiated an agreement with Daktronics Sports Marketing to enhance 51����’s scoreboards and overall look of athletic venues; initiated the Raider Academic Honor Roll honoring student-athletes for academic accomplishments; upgraded the department’s ticket office and increased ticket sales for football, hockey, basketball, and lacrosse; increased corporate sponsorships from $18,000 to more than $200,000 per year; and signed an agreement with Time Warner Cable Sports to televise selected athletic events.

As an active member of the regional community, Roach was also the driving force behind the athletics department’s program with Sherburne-Earlville Elementary School, where each 51���� team adopts a classroom. He currently serves as vice president of Hamilton Rotary and is a member of the Hamilton Club.

During his tenure, Roach made significant contributions to the national landscape of college athletics. He served as president of the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA) in 2010–11. Prior to that, he served on the NACDA Executive Committee and as an officer from 2002–10.

Roach currently serves as a member of the NCAA FCS Football Committee and chair of the NCAA Olympic Sports Liaison Committee. Previously, he chaired the Patriot Committee on Athletic Administration and the ECAC Hockey League Executive Committee. He has also served on the NCAA Diversity Leadership Strategic Planning Committee, the NCAA Management Council, the NCAA Championships and Competition Cabinet, and as chair of the NCAA Swimming and Diving Committee.

“I want to thank Presidents Rebecca Chopp and Jeff Herbst for giving me the opportunity to lead the 51���� Division of Physical Education, Recreation and Athletics for the last eight years,” he said. “51���� is a special place and will always have a special place in my heart.”