HACKENSACK, N.J. – After seven years of leadership, FDU Senior Associate Vice President/Director of Athletics Bradford Hurlbut announced his plans to retire at the end of June. Hurlbut oversaw a true "golden era" of FDU Athletics, which included unprecedented athletic success, major facility upgrades, and the strengthening of FDU's brand on a national level.

"I join the entire community in extending our appreciation to Brad Hurlbut for his generational impact on FDU Knights Athletics," remarked FDU President Michael Avaltroni. "We celebrate a legacy that will be felt and remembered for many years to come. Under his leadership, FDU Knights athletics rose to new heights, and he assembled the key pieces to a program that has provided countless memories that will live in the hearts and minds of the FDU community forever."

Hurlbut took over as FDU's Director of Athletics in February 2019. In the next seven years, the Knights would go on to win 30 NEC Championships. This stretch was highlighted by a historic 2023 campaign. The Knights finished 92nd in the Learfield Directors Cup standings, becoming the first NEC institution to finish inside the top 100.

"In 1992, when I began my athletics career at the University of Pennsylvania, never could I have imagined the thrilling and rewarding ride on which sports would take me," said Hurlbut.  "To end it serving as FDU's Senior Associate Vice President and Director of Athletics has been a true honor and privilege.
 
"FDU has provided me with memories that I will cherish forever. Our administration has accomplished so much to be very proud of during the past seven years.  We turned a proud yet challenged department into a nationally respected program, one that our institution now boasts about with pride. 
 
"I am extremely proud of what our student-athletes, coaches and staffs have achieved competitively, academically and in the community.  Together, we set records in all three areas.  The program is in a great place and it's the perfect time for me to start enjoying retirement!" 
 
FDU's national profile reached new heights during Hurlbut's tenure. The men's basketball program made two NCAA Tournament appearances and delivered the greatest upset in college basketball history, defeating overall No. 1 seed Purdue in the 2023 NCAA Tournament Round of 64. Women's basketball achieved historic success with back-to-back undefeated NEC seasons and its first NCAA Tournament berths. The bowling program advanced to the NCAA Final Four, and women's volleyball secured its first-ever NCAA tournament appearance. Additionally, FDU's student-athletes garnered multiple All-American honors, while track and field star Salif Mane achieved NCAA National Champion status and represented the United States on the Olympic stage.

"I've had the pleasure and honor of working with Brad for over 20 years and can honestly say that FDU, the NEC and the NCAA are losing an incredible administrator and advocate," said NEC Commissioner Noreen Morris.  "At every step of his career, he has put the student-athletes first and has left each organization in a better place than when he arrived. His dedication to supporting and uplifting others while also holding them to high standards and expectations has been a winning combination.  

"On a personal note, I can attest to the fact that one of Brad's most impressive superpowers, besides his sense of humor and sense of style, is building long-lasting relationships with coaches, student-athletes and fellow colleagues. As a long-time friend and colleague, I wish Brad nothing but much deserved happiness and joy in his retirement."

Hurlbut and his administration capitalized on FDU's success with a complete rebrand of FDU's visual identity. Under his leadership, FDU worked with VPCO to establish new logos, marks and branding that more accurately told the story of Knights Athletics and gave FDU's programs a refreshed look.

Hurlbut also secured the first-ever all sports apparel deal in FDU history.

Beyond competition, Hurlbut fostered a holistic experience for FDU's student-athletes. By adding four sports (women's lacrosse, women's flag football, men's fencing and men's volleyball), his tenure opened the door to expanded opportunities for years to come. The addition of teams came with substantial facility upgrades, as well. This included comprehensive renovations of the Bogota Savings Bank Center and the Naimoli Family Baseball Complex. In addition, University Stadium, the FDU Softball field, and locker rooms across campus were significantly modernized.

These upgrades and additions allowed FDU's student-athletes to thrive on and off their playing surfaces. Hurlbut advocated and worked towards dynamic community engagement, which set a strong example for the athletes. In three of the past five years, FDU has earned the NEC's Building Community Award – which recognizes the institution that is most dedicated to community service.

Nationally, Hurlbut earned recognition as a NACDA Division I Athletic Director of the Year, underscoring his influence across collegiate athletics. He also contributed extensively to NCAA governance, serving as chair of the Division I Men's Golf Committee for three years and the Women's Golf Committee for two. To this day, Hurlbut serves on the NCAA Division I Cabinet. Within the NEC, he served as Athletic Directors Council Chair for four years and as the conference's men's basketball liaison for seven years.

FDU is expected to name a successor in the near future.

About FDU Athletics
FDU is home to 23 NCAA Division I teams. A member of the NEC, the Knights have had tremendous success in the classroom, in athletic competition as well as giving back to the Bergen County community. FDU became the first school in Northeast Conference (NEC) history to win championships in women's volleyball, women's soccer, and men's soccer in the same season (2022). In 2023, the Burgundy and Blue also became the first NEC school to win two games as a 16-seed in the NCAA Men's Basketball Championship, including an upset over top-seeded Purdue. As a result of its incredible 2022–23 season, FDU placed 92nd in the Learfield Director's Cup, the first NEC program to finish in the Top 100. In 2024 Salif Mane captured the Triple Jump title at the 2024 NCAA Track and Field Outdoor Championships, went on to win the gold medal at the Team USA Olympic Trials, and competed at the Paris Olympics. In 2025, FDU won four conference championships in the span of 35 days in women's basketball, women's bowling, women's golf, and women's tennis. Off the field, FDU student-athletes were recognized for their efforts in the community by winning the NEC Building Communities Award in 2020, 2024 and 2025. In addition to recent championships, FDU holds five additional national championships, three in sport of women's fencing and two in women's bowling.