Mark Jackson, Villanova University’s director of athletics, is leaving to take a similar position at Northwestern University, writes Ryan Mulligan for Philadelphia Business Journal.
Under Jackson’s nine-year tenure, Villanova saw two NCAA men’s basketball championships.
Jackson’s headed the university’s athletic department since 2015 and was named vice president of the university in 2020.
A transition plan and the start of a national search is being organized this week to find the Wildcat’s next athletic director.
Jackson’s new position began Sept. 1, as he splits his time in his first month between Chicago and Philadelphia.
“Northwestern University is world-class in all of its endeavors and its mission, values and pursuit of excellence in academics and athletics are not only aligned with my beliefs and approach but are a model for intercollegiate athletics,” Jackson said in a statement.
Northwestern’s athletic department is more than double the size of Villanova financially. It competes in the highest-grossing conference in the NCAA, the Big Ten.
During Jackson’s nine years leading Villanova’s athletic department, there were 39 conference championships won by Villanova sports teams.
He was named the Under Armour AD of the Year in 2020 by the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics.
Read more about Mark Jackson’s career in the Philadelphia Business Journal.
