University hires Athletic Director

New AD comes from Miami (Ohio); emphasizes education, graduation

by Andy Hoag
Vanguard Sports Editor

January 29, 2007 —

SVSU has announced the hiring of Mike Watson as its new director of athletics.

"It is an extreme honor and privilege to be here," Watson said during his formal introduction on Thursday.

Watson, who will officially replace interim AD George Eastland on Monday, Feb. 26, comes to SVSU from Miami (Ohio) University, where he spent more than 20 years as a professional, including the past 11 as the associate director of athletics.

Citing Watson's "broad background" in all facets, Robert Maurovich, the University's vice president for student services and enrollment management, introduced the Cardinals' new leader.

"This search has culminated most successfully," said Maurovich, who said he was pleased with Watson's philosophy that student athletes succeed not only on the playing field but academically as well.

At MU, Watson supervised seven programs: football, field hockey, men and women's cross country, women's indoor track, and men and women's outdoor track and field.

As Watson came to the podium on Thursday, he summed up his feelings toward the campus after evaluating it for himself.

"This is an outstanding place to be," he said. "I strongly believe this is a gold mine waiting [to be tapped]."

While moving from the Division I level to the Division II level is not exactly rare, it's not common either. Yet Watson said his move shouldn't be a surprise. Without being asked, he explained why he would make such a move.

"Why not? I can't believe there weren't 100 candidates," Watson said.

Besides the campus scenery, Watson pointed out how impressed he was with SVSU's approach to educating students, adding that he prefers an education through professors, not teaching assistants.

"Higher education is about teaching young men and women," he said.

He spoke glowingly of the percentage of student-athletes at SVSU with a grade-point average of at least 3.0, about 45 percent.

"It's exciting to see," said Watson, whose RedHawks had a 51 percent rate this past fall.

Watson went into great length discussing his philosophy on being a "student-athlete." He provided several aspects of college athletics that he hangs his hat on, and first on the list was retention and graduation.

"I want Saginaw Valley athletes to come in as first-year students and leave with a degree," he explained.

While Watson made it clear that he is coming to SVSU to win, he stressed that he wanted to do so with integrity.

"I won't sacrifice doing things the right way for a win," he said.

The goal at MU is 100 percent graduation, Watson said, and he will expect no less at SVSU.

"My dream for all student-athletes is for them to walk across that stage and get their degree with some championship jewelry on," he said.

While Watson will physically still be behind a desk at MU until his first day at SVSU in February, he says he mentally is already in Saginaw.

After the press conference, Watson took time to speak with many of SVSU's coaches to explain his philosophy on how he wants things to be when he finally arrives.

He also said he would speak several times with Angela Pohl, the assistant director of athletics, about where he would like the department to be on his first day.

After playing football at MU, the 6'7" Watson was selected in the third round of the 1977 NFL Draft by the Miami Dolphins as a offensive tackle before playing four years for the New Orleans Saints.

He graduated from MU in 1979 and joined his alma mater in 1983 as an assistant football coach, and worked in the Office of Alumni Relations before moving back to the athletics department there.

A native of Mansfield, Ohio, Watson has been married to his wife, Cindy, for 28 years and has an 18-year-old daughter and 13-year-old son.

from page 1