HACKENSACK, N.J. - Fairleigh Dickinson University President Michael J. Avaltroni announced Thursday that Knights' Director of Athletics Bradford Hurlbut has been elevated to the role of Senior Associate Vice President/Director of Athletics. Hurlbut began his tenure at FDU on February 18, 2019.

"Brad has been a tremendous leader for FDU Knights Athletics, as evidenced by the performance of our student-athletes during this past academic year, including our historic victory on basketball's biggest stage," said Avaltroni. "We are excited to have him continue to build on this legacy as he steps into this new role."

Since his appointment as the seventh full-time athletic director, Hurlbut has led the Knights to new heights, culminating with the Department's 92nd-place finish in the 2022-23 LEARFIELD Directors' Cup, the highest finish in program history and the first top-100 mark in NEC history. Ten 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 an NEC member advanced to the Round of 32.

"It is a great honor to continue serving our Department, campus community and FDU in this new role," said Hurlbut. "Division I athletics is the front porch of our University and we are proud to be able to consistently deliver champions in the classroom and on the field of competition. I thank President Avaltroni for his support of our department, student-athletes and Athletics leadership team as the Knights continue to represent the institution on the national stage!"

Hurlbut was recently appointed to the NCAA D-I Council and is the current chair of the women's golf committee as well. Additionally, he 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.