INDIANAPOLIS - FDU Director of Athletics Bradford Hurlbut has been appointed to the NCAA Division I Council. Responsible for the day-to-day decision-making for Division I, this high-level group consists of conference commissioners, athletic directors, athletic administrators, senior woman administrators, faculty athletic representatives and student-athletes.

Entering his sixth year on the banks of the Hackensack, Hurlbut is an active leader in the Northeast Conference, serving as Chair of the NEC Athletic Directors' Committee and as the athletic director liaison to the men's basketball coaches. A member of the NEC Strategic Planning & Membership Committee, Hurlbut was heavily involved in the vetting and invitation process for the newest members of the nine-team NEC, Stonehill and Le Moyne.

On the national stage, Hurlbut is the current chair of the NCAA Division I Women's Golf Committee and was previously on the Men's Golf Committee from 2015-19, serving as chair from 2016-19.

"It is an honor to represent the Northeast Conference and FDU on the NCAA Division I Council," said Hurlbut. "This is a pivotal moment in the history of collegiate athletics and to be able to work alongside administrators and stakeholders from across the Association is a tremendous opportunity. I look forward to being able to serve the more than 170,000 student-athletes from around Division I in academic and athletic settings and beyond post-graduation."

"We are thrilled to have Brad Hurlbut serving as the NEC representative on the NCAA DI Council," commented NEC Commissioner Noreen Morris. "Brad's exceptional leadership as the Athletic Director at FDU has propelled the University to unprecedented success both on and off the field. His extensive experience in various leadership positions and his service on NCAA committees have demonstrated his deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing collegiate athletics. His valuable insights and expertise will undoubtedly play a crucial role in shaping policies and initiatives that prioritize the well-being and development of student-athletes nationwide. We are confident that Brad will make a significant impact in his role and we take great pride in him representing the NEC and FDU on such an influential stage."

Since arriving at FDU in February 2019 as the seventh full-time athletic director, Hurlbut has led the Knights to new heights, culminating with the Department's 2022-23 92nd-place finish in the LEARFIELD Directors' Cup, the highest finish in program history and the first top-100 mark in NEC history. 10 FDU teams have hoisted NEC titles since his arrival and in 2019-20, FDU won the NEC Building Communities Award, presented to the NEC member with the highest number of student-athlete community service hours (3,200). Men's basketball has made two trips to the NCAA tournament since his tenure began, earning the program's first-ever March Madness win in 2019 and in 2023, shocking the world with a pair of NCAA tournament victories, including an upset of #1 Purdue marking the first time FDU advanced to the Round of 32.

Hurlbut also initiated a working group of alumni, University staff, student-athletes, coaches and athletic administrators to develop FDU's athletic values of Integrity, Pride, Resilience, Respect and Unity. These values are prominently featured at athletic facilities on-campus and digitally, including FDUKnights.com. Hurlbut earned Certified Inclusive Leader Status in September 2022.

He is the first FDU representative on the Division I Council. Hurlbut begins his tenure in August 2023.

For additional information on the NCAA Division I Council and the NCAA governance process, please click here.