Dick Young Named Interim Athletic Director

Aug. 29, 2002

Dick Young, a legendary figure in collegiate sports who was mentored by the great Woody Hayes and whose resume is a laundry list of successes as a player, coach and top administrator, has been named interim director of athletics at Florida Atlantic University.

The announcement was made today by Interim FAU President Richard Osburn, who said, "Dick Young has the experience, enthusiasm and stellar track record we need to take FAU's intercollegiate athletics program to the next level. We are excited that he has agreed to join us, and we are certain that he will be a major asset not only to our Athletics Department, but also to the entire university."

During his 37-year career, he has directed the athletics programs at four NCAA Division I universities, including Bowling Green State, Oklahoma State, Washington State and Florida International.

Young retires tomorrow from Lynn University, where since 1993 he has been director of athletics and campus recreation and a professor of sports administration. He will begin his duties at FAU Sept. 3, replacing Tom Cargill, who has been reassigned to the position of director of campus recreation.

"Dick's academic credentials are impressive, and that is as important to us as his experience in coaching and athletics," Dr. Osburn said. "At FAU, we stress the word 'student' when we say 'student athlete,' and Dick will certainly reinforce that emphasis."

Young will report directly to Osburn as he oversees the management of FAU's rapidly developing intercollegiate athletics program, which currently has 18 men's and women's teams.

Young has a Ph.D. in educational administration from Bowling Green State University in Ohio. He earned a master's degree in education from Ohio State University, which also awarded him a bachelor's degree cum laude in health, physical education and recreation. Young has made good use of his academic credentials by teaching throughout his career, achieving tenure at both Bowling Green State and Oklahoma State.

A native of Columbus, Ohio, he earned two varsity letters and was a Big Ten Scholar-Athlete while a student at Ohio State University, playing defensive back under famed Buckeye coach Woody Hayes. Young helped power the Buckeyes to the 1954 Big Ten Championship, and, in 1955, to victory in the Rose Bowl and the AP National Championship. He currently resides in Boca Raton, with his wife, Sandy.

"Sandy and I were wondering where we might be heading in retirement, and never dreamed it would be across I-95," Young said as his appointment at FAU was announced. "I have held an interest in FAU since its origin, and in fact once applied for a position there while watching snow fall at Bowling Green. I am pleased to join President Osburn in the transition of leadership. We fully enjoyed our Lynn years, we love Boca, and we hope we can be of help in continuing the growth of athletics with the Fighting Owls."

Young concluded his nine-year career at Lynn amid words of high praise from the university's administration and the press for his accomplishments there, which included taking Lynn from NAIA to NCAA Division II status.

A well-published author on academic and athletic policy, he has also served as president and vice president of the New South Athletic Conference, vice president of the Trans America Athletic Conference (now the Atlantic Sun Conference, in which FAU holds membership), and on several committees of the NCAA.

His interim appointment at FAU is expected to be in effect for about a year, pending the selection of a permanent university president.

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