Doug Knuth named SUU’s new athletic director

CEDAR CITY — “You have something really special here, and I can’t wait to be part of it,” said Doug Knuth shortly after being announced as Southern Utah University’s new athletic director.

Southern Utah University President Mindy Benson announces Doug Knuth as SUU’s new athletic director, Cedar City, Utah, Dec. 14, 2022 | Photo by Jeff Richards, St. George News / Cedar City News

Knuth’s hiring was announced at a press conference Thursday afternoon by SUU President Mindy Benson. 

Although Knuth isn’t officially scheduled to begin working in his new role until the start of January, he spent the better part of the day greeting coaches, athletes and administrators, alumni and other members of the Thunderbird Family.

Knuth succeeds Debbie Corum, who retired at the end of June. Knuth was selected as the top candidate in an extensive nationwide search, said Marvin Dodge, SUU’s vice president of finance and administration, who headed the 14-member search committee.

“We were impressed and amazed, quite frankly, how many folks expressed interest in Southern Utah University and coming to join the Thunderbird family,” Dodge said during his opening remarks. “It actually made our task a little bit more challenging.”

Dodge later said that of 43 initial applicants, 11 finalists were interviewed via Zoom videoconference, after which the top six in-person interviews took place in Las Vegas.

L-R: Southern Utah University VP Marvin Dodge, SUU mascot Thor Thunderbird, newly hired SUU athletic director Doug Knuth SUU President Mindy Benson, and sports hiring expert Glenn Sugiyama, Cedar City, Utah, Dec. 14, 2022 | Photo by Jeff Richards, St. George News / Cedar City News

Dodge said the committee used five areas of focus to help narrow down the pool of prospective candidates, namely students, academics, community, fundraising and facilities.

“His breadth and depth of experience in all five of those areas that we were looking for, and trusting the process and trusting the committee, (Knuth) emerged as the clear athletic director for Southern Utah University,” Benson said during the Q-and-A session at the end of the news conference. 

Dodge added that one of the things that won him over about Knuth is what he called his “wonderful demeanor.”

“It’s always just very calm, very enthusiastic, very positive, always talking about what can be accomplished, and what we can do together and where we can take athletics,” Dodge said.

During his remarks, Knuth spoke of the “magic” referred to in an SUU alum’s recent social media post; he said he believes that magic starts with the university president’s vision and energy, but doesn’t end there. 

Newly hired Southern Utah University athletic director Doug Knuth responds to a question during news conference, Cedar City, Utah, Dec. 14, 2022 | Photo by Jeff Richards, St. George News / Cedar City News

“It can’t (just) be one person,” he said, adding that the faculty and staff are helping drive it with the added support of alumni and boosters in the community.

Knuth also took a moment to thank Todd Brown, who’d served as SUU’s interim athletic director since July 1.

“Every one of our coaches, all the staff, that administration, my hat’s off to you for doing such a good job during this interim period,” Knuth said.

Knuth said he’s committed to being deeply focused on student success.

“I believe if we’re all focused on that, we’re all aligned,” he said. “We will build champion students in the classroom, champion leaders in our community. … If we invest in our students, in the students’ success, we will be building champions for life. And that’s the essence of what we do, right? That’s why we’re in higher education.”

In a news release issued by SUU shortly after the news conference Benson said Knuth has extensive experience as a leader in intercollegiate athletics.

“His focus on students and his coaching team is clear from the educational and professional opportunities he provides through his leadership and the accolades they have received,” she said. “Doug has the drive to lead and grow Thunderbird Athletics while supporting the student-athletes, coaches and staff.”    

Southern Utah University President Mindy Benson gives newly hired athletic director Doug Knuth a basket filled with SUU merchandise, Cedar City, Utah, Dec. 14, 2022 | Photo by Jeff Richards, St. George News / Cedar City News

According to the release, Knuth has nearly 30 years of intercollegiate athletics experience, including nine years as a Division I director of athletics, and two decades of successful fundraising with a focus on long-term growth. He comes from the University of Nevada where he served as the director of athletics managing 400 student-athletes, 16 athletic programs, and 150 staff and coaches.

“I am grateful to President Benson for the opportunity to join her team at Southern Utah University to support the university mission and work with loyal alumni and the Cedar City community to support our talented student athletes and coaches,” Knuth said in the statement. “I also want to thank Vice President Marvin Dodge and the search committee for their great work throughout the search process. This is a special time at SUU and I can’t wait to get started.”

Prior to his time at the University of Nevada, Knuth served as the senior associate athletic director for the University of Utah. During his time there he successfully led a team to launch a comprehensive athletics campaign and doubled the Utes’ annual fund in five years. Knuth also took a leadership role in the strategic planning process of Utah’s $1.2 billion university capital campaign.

Knuth also served as the assistant athletics director for development at Michigan State for five years and was responsible for the annual giving program. He managed major gifts associated with the expansion of Spartan Stadium through suite and club seats sales. Knuth holds a master’s degree in business administration from Northwood University, a master’s degree in sport administration and facility management from Ohio University, and a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Connecticut.

Southern Utah University football helmet, Cedar City, Utah, Dec. 14, 2022 | Photo by Jeff Richards, St. George News / Cedar City News

“Doug will be an amazing addition to the Thunderbird family,” Dodge added in the release. “His calm demeanor and steady drive toward excellence will move SUU’s athletic programs and facilities forward in remarkable ways. SUU’s search committee, with representatives from across campus and the community,

Dodge added that he was impressed with the number of exceptional candidates from across the country who applied for the position.

“It was obvious to the committee that Doug’s extensive experience in athletics, working with students, coaches, and staff, and his love of working with community members will ensure success at all levels,” Dodge said.

Southern Utah Athletics is home to 15 NCAA Division I athletic teams and is a proud member of the Western Athletic Conference. During SUU’s first year in the WAC, the men’s basketball team had the best record in the state of Utah, track and field had nine student-athletes qualify for the NCAA regionals, the men’s cross-country team finished second in the WAC, the Flippin Birds gymnastics team went to regionals for the ninth year in a row and the volleyball team made the WAC tournament.

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