Green Bay – University of Wisconsin-Green Bay Chancellor Michael Alexander said Director of Athletics Charles Guthrie has accepted the same role at Akron University in Akron, Ohio.
Deputy Director of Athletics Jermaine Rolle will serve as interim athletic director until Guthrie’s successor is named.
“Charles Guthrie is a joy to work with and is gifted at bringing out the best in people,” said Alexander. “He puts the student-athlete first. Our athletes, coaches, donors and fans have the utmost respect for what Charles did for Green Bay over the last four years. I’m sorry to see him leave but wish him the best in this next chapter of his career.”
Guthrie’s move to Akron puts him closer to his family and his hometown of Albany, New York.
His new contract with Akron begins July 1.
“I’m grateful for the opportunity I’ve had to partner and collaborate with Chancellor Alexander, the leadership team and the campus community,” said Guthrie. “Green Bay is steadfast in its commitment to academic and competitive excellence as evidenced by the department’s 42 consecutive semesters above a 3.0 GPA. I will miss this community of student-athletes, coaches, staff and faculty. I’d like to thank all of the Phoenix fans for embracing our program and supporting our student-athletes – your support is the driving force behind Green Bay athletics.”
Guthrie served as athletic director at UW-Green Bay since October of 2017 when he became the ninth person to hold the role in the history of the Green Bay program.
He replaced Mary Ellen Gillespie who left the Green Bay program for a position at Hartford University in Connecticut.
Alexander said Guthrie is leaving the program on solid ground.
“We will immediately recruit a leader to build on his success and continue toward our goal of building the athletic department as a fundamental piece of how the region interacts with UW-Green Bay,” he said.
During his time in Green Bay, student-athletes achieved the highest-ever combined grade point average during any semester in spring 2020, recording a department-wide GPA of 3.57.
Competitively, Green Bay earned postseason berths in the Horizon League and NCAA tournament play for men’s and women’s basketball, men’s soccer, volleyball and Nordic skiing during his tenure.
Additionally, Guthrie helped raise more than $1.2 million annually via the Phoenix Fund and special events.
Guthrie oversaw enhancements to the Kress Events Center, completion of the university’s softball complex, King Park, which was completed in spring 2020, and the opening of the new Aldo Santaga Soccer Stadium in 2019.
Alexander said Guthrie was also instrumental in hiring men’s basketball coach Will Ryan in 2020 and helped the Division I athletic department navigate the Covid-19 pandemic.