DENVER – University of Denver Chancellor Jeremy Haefner announced this morning the hiring of Josh Berlo as the new Vice Chancellor for Athletics and Ritchie Center Operations.
"We are thrilled to welcome Josh to the University of Denver, and we are confident he has the experience, passion, skills and exciting ideas to thrive in this role," Haefner said.
Josh brings to DU more than 20 years of experience in collegiate athletic program leadership. Since 2013, he has served as the director of intercollegiate athletics at the University of Minnesota Duluth (UMD) where he helped usher in the most successful era of the program's history including two men's ice hockey national championships. Previously, Josh served as the senior assistant director for guest relations and event marketing at the University of Notre Dame.
Berlo will oversee the University of Denver's athletic department and its 18 NCAA Division I programs that have combined to win 34 national championships, 127 individual national titles and 12 of the last 13 I-AAA Directors' Cups for the most successful non-football school in the country.
"My family is honored to be joining the prestigious University of Denver and its exceptional academic and athletic traditions," Berlo said. "DU offers a world-class experience for our student-athletes, coaches and staff, and I look forward to contributing to that experience as well as the overall institutional mission."
Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor Mary Clark, who co-chaired the search committee, said, "I couldn't be more excited than to have Josh join us as DU's new AD. I look forward to collaborating with him as we continue to build out our 4D student experience, where student-athletes have long led in this space. My warm congratulations to Josh and his family as they join the DU family."
In 2017-18, Berlo was named the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA) Division II AD of the Year. In his time at Duluth, Berlo headed UMD's deliberate focus on the student-athlete experience and strategic plan initiatives and led the fundraising efforts for the Bulldogs' sport programs. He also made fan experience and engagement a top priority to help expand the national profile of the UMD athletic department. Recently he served as a co-chair of the search committee for new NCHC Commissioner Heather Weems. Academically, Berlo helped support the Bulldog student-athletes' rise to record GPA levels, reaching an all-time high average of 3.44 for UMD's nearly 400 student-athletes in 2021.
The Warren, Rhode Island, native helped spearhead many projects in the Bulldogs' athletic department, including the $10 million renovation of Romano Gymnasium (basketball and volleyball) and major upgrades to both James S. Malosky Stadium (football), the Ward Wells Fieldhouse (track) as well as the creation of purpose driven spaces for team meetings, video and injury rehabilitation. Berlo led the launch of Bulldog Productions (content creation and streaming), enhanced the regional and national TV footprint, signed an equipment apparel deal that more than doubled the value previous provided, oversaw the addition of new LED video boards in multiple facilities and saw the setting of all-time single-season and single-game attendance records in men's hockey and football.
"Josh is an experienced and passionate leader who understands the challenges facing intercollegiate athletics today," said Board of Trustee Chair Elect John Miller, BSBA '75, MBA '76, who co-chaired the search committee. "He will build upon our tradition of athletic success at the highest levels and will be unyielding in his support of our student-athletes' pursuit of excellence both in the classroom and on the field."
In his nine seasons, Berlo and the Bulldogs finished in the top 50 of the D-II Directors' Cup five times (of seven possible due to the COVID-19 pandemic) and currently sits in 29th through the winter sports calendar, which would mark the highest finish in his tenure. During his time at Duluth, the Bulldogs won the Division I men's hockey national championship in 2018 and 2019 and finished runner-up to the Pioneers in 2017. In women's hockey, the Bulldogs finished as the national runner-up to Ohio State this past spring. The two hockey programs combined for six Frozen Four appearances under Berlo's leadership. This past winter, for the first time in program history, all four basketball and hockey teams advanced to the NCAA Tournament and earned a combined three conference regular season and tournament titles. In total, 15 of UMD's 16 varsity programs have advanced to NCAA postseason competition since Berlo arrived in Duluth in 2013.
Berlo earned his bachelor's degree in sport management from the University of Massachusetts in 1999 before receiving his MBA in finance and communication from Notre Dame in 2004. Berlo serves on the Executive Committee of the prestigious Sports Management Institute. He and his wife Meg have one son, Michael.
What Others are Saying About Berlo:
Dr. Kevin White
Retired Vice President and Director of Athletics, Duke University, University of Notre Dame & Arizona State University
"Josh Berlo is a brilliant hire. A natural leader who is very well prepared and inordinately seasoned to facilitate a tremendous experience for student-athletes, the university community as well as all other external constituencies closely aligned with the University of Denver. Just a phenomenal 'win' for that beloved enterprise that is college athletics."
Maura Crowell
Head Coach, Women's Hockey, University of Minnesota Duluth
"Josh has been a tremendous leader for us at UMD. He created a collaborative culture in athletics that has resulted in unprecedented success across many different sports during his tenure. He and I have developed a great partnership over the years. With his support and guidance, the women's hockey program has reached back-to-back NCAA Frozen Fours while also establishing a reputation on campus for academic excellence and positive community involvement."
Josh Fenton
Commissioner, The Summit League
"The University of Denver has made an excellent selection in Josh Berlo to be the next Vice Chancellor of Athletics. I have worked with Josh for many years, and his student-first mentality, vast experiences, and people-centered skill set will provide tremendous value to DU student-athletes and athletics' staff. We look forward to working closely with Josh in the Summit League for many years to come. Denver has made a great hire, and I am excited for Josh and his family to make this transition."
Lou Nanni
Vice President for University Relations, University of Notre Dame
"I had the privilege of working closely with Josh over several years at the University of Notre Dame. The University of Denver has made a superb hire. Josh is a person of impeccable integrity with an unsurpassed work ethic and a perennially upbeat demeanor. He will always put the student-athlete first. I cannot wait to watch Denver Athletics soar into the future."
Lisa Ann Erwin, PhD
Vice Chancellor for Student Life and Dean of Students, University of Minnesota Duluth
"It has been a tremendous honor to have worked with Josh Berlo at UMD. His leadership of Bulldog athletics has been stellar, founded on integrity, collaboration and a sincere commitment to student-athletes in and out of the classroom. I have especially appreciated his partnership in advancing Title IX on our campus."
Melissa Conboy
Senior Deputy of Director of Athletics, University of Notre Dame
"The University of Denver has found a gem of an athletic director in Josh Berlo. During his time at the University of Notre Dame, his commitment to excellence and integrity were on full display. He comes to work daily with energy and purpose. His successful tenure at the University of Minnesota Duluth has prepared him well to lead DU to new heights."
Warde Manuel
Director of Athletics, University of Michigan
The University of Denver just made a great hire. Josh has established himself as one of the best young athletic directors in intercollegiate athletics. He has proven leadership that drives success in the classroom, championship performance in sports and inspires young people to grow into amazing individuals. Congratulations to Josh and DU."
Dr. Lendley C. Black
Chancellor, University of Minnesota Duluth
"I am sad for the University of Minnesota Duluth but proud of Josh Berlo as he becomes the next athletic director at the University of Denver. Josh has done an incredible job as UMD's AD over the past nine years. He leaves our athletics programs in great shape with a solid foundation on which to build further. UMD Athletics is on an impressive trajectory of academic and competitive excellence. I thank Josh for his outstanding service to UMD and to the Duluth community. We will miss him."
Allen Greene
Director of Athletics, Auburn University
"Congratulations to Chancellor Haefner and the University of Denver on hiring a world-class individual. Josh is a seasoned veteran in this enterprise whose core passion is to support the holistic development of student-athletes. Having known Josh for 20 years, I continue to be impressed by his engagement and commitment to efforts involving diversity, equity and inclusion. It will be exciting to see DU Athletics continue to blossom under Josh's leadership."
Bubba Cunningham
Director of Athletics, University of North Carolina
"Congratulations to the University of Denver. Josh Berlo is a tireless advocate for the student-athlete and an engaged member of every campus community he has been a part of. His commitment and dedication in supporting student success is unmatched. From recruitment to graduation to championships, Josh will be there for the students.
Bill Scholl
Director of Athletics, Marquette University
"The University of Denver couldn't have made a better choice. I've had the privilege of knowing and working with Josh for many years. He is a tremendously talented individual who cares deeply about the student athlete experience. He and Meg will be great fits within the DU community. A terrific hire by Denver."
Jack Swarbrick
Vice President and Director of Athletics, University of Notre Dame
"Denver has made an inspired choice in selecting Josh Berlo to lead its athletics department. Josh is one of the rising stars in our business with a richly deserved reputation for creativity and a focus on the welfare of the student-athlete."
Norm Maciver
Associate General Manager, Chicago Blackhawks
"Josh played a key role in the success of UMD's athletic programs throughout his tenure because of his tireless efforts, commitment and passion for the department. For me, as part of the men's hockey alumni, he went above and beyond to not only connect myself, but also fellow alumni, back to the program in a way that we were able to share in the achievements of the team."
Kathy Beauregard
Recently Retired Director of Athletics & Former Head Women's Gymnastics Coach, Western Michigan University
"Congratulations to the University of Denver family for the hiring of Josh Berlo as the new Vice Chancellor for Athletics. Josh exemplifies tremendous ethical leadership skills and keeps the scholar student-athletes well-being as his number one priority. Josh is one of the most inspirational futuristic athletics directors in higher education today. His integrity and passion for championship experiences will align with DU's academic and athletic reputation seamlessly."
Maddie Rooney
Former Women's Hockey Goalie and Two-Time Olympic Medalist, University of Minnesota Duluth
"It is special when you have an athletic director who truly cares about more than just your athletic accomplishments. I believe the University of Denver is getting the best AD in the country. Josh goes above and beyond for his student-athletes. Put simply, my college experience would not have been the same without him."
Mike Brey
Head Men's Basketball Coach, University of Notre Dame
"I had the opportunity to work with Josh at the University of Notre Dame, and he is a total professional. The student-athletes and coaches at the University of Denver will truly benefit from his leadership."
– PIONEER TOGETHER –
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