Patrick Nero signed a contract extension Monday that will keep him as George Washington University’s director of athletics and recreation through the 2020-21 academic year.
Mr. Nero, hired in April 2011, has overseen one of the most successful eras in the history of GW athletics. Nine teams have won championships and eight coaches have captured conference coach of the year honors during his four years in Foggy Bottom. Notably, the university’s flagship men’s and women’s basketball programs have enjoyed a resurgence during Mr. Nero’s tenure, with both programs reaching major postseason tournaments the past two seasons.
"When Patrick Nero was hired in 2011, his skills, experience and commitment to excellence, particularly in making the academic success of student athletes a priority, set him apart from an outstanding pool of candidates," Provost Steven Lerman said. "Four years later, Patrick’s strategic vision and his efforts to ‘build champions in the classroom, in competition and in the community’ have helped to push GW Athletics further, and our future with him at the helm of our athletics department is bright."
Mr. Nero, the current Chair of the Atlantic 10 Council of Athletic Directors, brought to GW significant experience managing all aspects of NCAA Division I sports. Under his leadership, GW has set an all-time program record in terms of cumulative GPAs across its 27 intercollegiate sports. During Mr. Nero’s tenure, the athletics department released a five-year strategic plan and created the Buff and Blue Fund, the Student-Athlete Leadership Academy and the George Washington Athletics Advisory Council.
"I am appreciative of the support given to me by university leadership and the GW community,” Mr. Nero said. “Without the university’s support, along with the tireless, hard work and dedication of our student-athletes, coaches, administration and alumni, we would not have been able to pursue the many opportunities and achieved the successes that a multitude of our programs have seen.”