TEANECK, N.J. – Fairleigh Dickinson University Director of Athletics, David Langford has announced that he will retire from his role at the University effective June 28.
 
Langford has headed the NCAA Division I athletic department for 15 years since his appointment on January 16, 2003.
 
Associate Athletic Director for Facilities and Operations, Cathy Liggett will oversee the department in the interim as a national search for Langford's successor is conducted.
 
As the Knights' sixth full-time Director of Athletics, Langford has guided a crucial period of growth for the department and its 19 teams over the course of his tenure.
 
Langford has witnessed his teams' level of success grow both on the field of competition and in the classroom including a pair of women's bowling National Championships along with conference championships and NCAA Tournament appearances for the men's basketball, men's and women's soccer, women's bowling, men's tennis, women's tennis and women's golf teams. 
 
Academically, Langford helped to raise the department GPA to an average over 3.2 for eight consecutive years. Under his watch, the graduation rate rose as the Fairleigh Dickinson student-athletes became active leaders on campus and in the community.
 
Since his arrival on the Metropolitan Campus, Langford has spearheaded a list of facilities improvements and developments, highlighted by the April 2011 construction of the Vince Naimoli Family Baseball Complex. He has also served on three NCAA governing boards: the NCAA Division I Cross Country and Track & Field Championships Committee; the Division I Awards, Benefits, Expenses, and Financial Aid Cabinet and the Division I Recruiting and Athletics Personnel Issues Cabinet.
 
Langford took over at FDU after spending the previous 14 years as a member of the athletic administrative staff at UMBC. He worked as Associate Athletic Director from 1996 until his departure and previously headed the UMBC women's cross country/track program from 1989-98.
 
Prior to his tenure at UMBC, Langford served for two years (1986-1988) as a Learning Assistance Counselor at Loyola University of Chicago and held the positions of Assistant Athletic Director for Staff Services (1985-86) and Academic Services (1981-85) at Northwestern University.
 
The 1974 Millersville University (PA) graduate was a four-year letter winner as a sprinter for the NCAA Division II Marauders track and field team. Langford currently resides in Bergen County with his wife Karen.