Scott Woodward Selected As New Director of Athletics

Texas A&M University President Michael K. Young announced today that Scott Woodward will be the institution’s new Director of Athletics.  Woodward, who currently serves as Director of Athletics at the University of Washington, will succeed Eric Hyman, who announced earlier this week that he was stepping down from the post that he has held since 2012.

Woodward will be formally introduced in College Station next week.

“I am thrilled that Scott will lead the Texas A&M athletic department at an important time in the history of our school, as we continue to showcase our successes as one of the nation’s premier athletic programs,” President Young said in making the announcement. “I have great respect and admiration for his understanding of higher education and the role that athletics plays in an institution and community and the vital role it can play in preparing student athletes for success. His ability to work across multiple constituencies in a collaborative and thoughtful manner will certainly be an asset in this position. I am confident that under Scott’s leadership, working closely with our tremendous coaches and staff, that Texas A&M will continue to be among the most successful athletic programs in the nation.”

Since January of 2008, Woodward has served as the Director of Athletics at the University of Washington, overseeing a department with revenue exceeding $100 million per year and a staff of more than 200. The University athletic programs have flourished under his leadership, capturing seven national championships and multiple conference titles. The Husky football program returned to the postseason in 2010 for the first time since 2001, and has made five-straight bowl appearances.  Woodward garnered wide acclaim in 2013 for hiring current head football coach Chris Peterson. The men’s basketball program won the 2012 Pac-12 regular season championship, 2011 and 2010 Pac-10 Conference Tournament Championships and reached the NCAA’s Sweet Sixteen in 2010.

“It is an honor to join the Aggie Family and I am humbled and grateful for the opportunity that President Young has afforded me,” Woodward said. “Texas A&M is an outstanding university and athletic program competing in what is arguably the best conference in college sports. I can promise the Aggie faithful that we will compete for championships across the board and we will do so with integrity, class and a commitment to our student-athletes. I couldn’t be more excited to get started.”

Washington currently ranks fourth in the Pac-12 Conference in student-athlete graduation rates and ranks second over a ten-year average.  Under Woodward’s leadership, Washington has demonstrated an exemplary record of compliance, hiring and diversity. Fundraising set all-time records under Woodward and he secured multiple high-figure corporate sponsorships.  He also led a $280 million renovation of Husky Stadium, completed in 2013, and facility enhancements for baseball.

In recognition of his accomplishments at Washington, Woodward was nominated by the Sports Business Journal for the prestigious Athletic Director of the Year Award in March of 2014.

Prior to joining the University of Washington, Woodward served as the Director of External Affairs at Louisiana State University from 2000-2004. Acting as the liaison between the university and government and corporate officials, he advised Chancellor Mark Emmert on policy and government appropriations. As with his tenure in External Affairs at Washington, Woodward helped lead LSU to unprecedented economic growth, paving the way for the University’s move from a Tier II to Tier I research institution. At Louisiana State, Woodward also served as the Chancellor’s representative to the athletic department. During his time at LSU, the institution’s intercollegiate athletic teams won 10 NCAA national championships, including one in football in 2003.

After serving as a political consultant and legislative liaison in Baton Rouge, Woodward founded a government and public relations firm in the mid-1990s, providing strategic policy direction to Fortune 500 corporations, including clients in the education, insurance and oil industries. He also worked on behalf of the Louisiana Nature Conservancy and the New Orleans Center for Creative Arts, as well as served on the Board of Directors of the Baton Rouge Food Bank.

Woodward earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science from LSU in 1985. He is married to Nanette Dicharry and has two adult sons, Michael and Josh Evans.