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Dave Heeke, who has been athletic director at Central Michigan since 2006, has been hired to replace Greg Byrnes as athletic director at the University of Arizona.
Byrne departed to take over AD duties at the University of Alabama in January.
Heeke announced the move on Twitter in coordination with a release from the University of Arizona.
Excited to come to Tucson and join the Wildcats! It's a true honor & privilege Can't wait to #BearDown https://t.co/GSvhsG1eaH
— Dave Heeke (@Dave_Heeke) February 25, 2017
The news of a potential move was first reported by the Detroit Free Press.
Heeke’s previous experience includes 18 years in various administrative positions at Oregon. Heeke is an East Lansing native and graduate of nearby Albion College.
Heeke replaced former CMU football coaching legend Herb Deromedi after Deromedi’s retirement in 2005.
Heeke has overseen the modernization of CMU’s athletic programs since he first stepped into office 11 years ago and has also overseen some of CMU’s best atheltic success in program history.
Heeke was responsible for the hires of Butch Jones and Brian Kelly in football, with CMU reaching the AP Top 25 at the end of the 2009 season. Under Heeke’s guidance, the football program has reached eight bowl games, including four in the last five years.
Heeke also helped bring major developments to Kelly/Shorts Stadium, including permanent stadium lights and new video boards.
In basketball, Heeke oversaw major renovations to Rose Arena and the CMU Events Center, and opened McGuirk Arena. Heeke was responsible for hiring Keno Davis, who has engineered a major turnaround of the men’s basketball program in just three seasons at the helm. Heeke is also responsible for hiring Sue Guevara, CMU’s all-time winningest coach in women’s basketball in 2007.
Other non-revenue sports have experienced success during Heeke’s tenure as well.
Gymnastics has been a perennial contender in the MAC and wrestling is nationally recognized as one of the premier mid-major programs in the country. Baseball and softball has been competitive as well for CMU, with a new indoor baseball/softball facility opening up this year.
Women’s golf and women’s lacrosse have also been added to the list of varsity-level sports at CMU in Heeke’s time. Women’s lacrosse participates in the Atlantic Sun Conference.