NIAGARA UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS
INDIANAPOLIS – Niagara University Deputy Director of Athletics Stephen Butler is one of 12 Division I senior-level athletics administrators from across the country that has been selected to participate in the 2018 NCAA Pathway Program.
The Pathway Program is an intensive, experiential learning opportunity for 25 selected participants representing NCAA Divisions I, II and III and its goal is to elevate those currently in senior-level athletics administration positions to the next step as a director of athletics. Each program participant is mentored by a current NCAA athletics director, as well as a current university chancellor or president, who has committed to help the participant grow both during and after the year-long program. Since the program’s inception in 1997, almost 25 percent of its participants have gone on to become directors of athletics, while more than 60 percent have received promotions in their careers.
Butler joined the Niagara University athletics staff in August 2011 as the Associate Athletic Director for Compliance and Administration. He was named the Associate Athletic Director of External Relations in May 2012 and was promoted to Deputy Director of Athletics in July 2014. He has served as the interim Director of Athletics twice, most recently during the 2013-14 season.
As Deputy Director of Athletics, Butler assists the Director of Athletics in the daily operation of the athletics department. His primary responsibilities include oversight of athletic communications, multimedia rights-holder Van Wagner Sports & Entertainment, ticket sales and operations, marketing and promotions, game presentation and the Purple & White Club. He serves as the sport administrator for hockey, women’s lacrosse and men’s soccer, and oversees NCAA athletic compliance initiatives. Butler has also served as a member of the Atlantic Hockey Association (AHA) Executive Committee since 2016.
The Pathway Program kicked off for all divisions during a week-long session in early June at the NCAA national office in Indianapolis. Throughout the year, the program will cater to each division’s needs, such as participating in governance meetings and media and interview training. The program will include skill building in the areas of values clarification, leadership, media training and diversity and inclusion.
The participants, who are selected by a committee of current athletic administrators and past program attendees, will be recognized at the end of the year at the annual National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA) convention luncheon.
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