Athletics Director Dave O'Brien to Step Down. Peter Roby to Assume Interim Role.

(3-22-07) Boston, Mass. - Northeastern University announced today that Athletics Director Dave O'Brien has accepted a faculty appointment as Director of Sport Management at Drexel University in Philadelphia, effective July 1, 2007.

Peter Roby, Director of the Center for the Study of Sport in Society and Associate Athletics Director for Student-Athlete Welfare, will assume the position of interim Athletics Director upon O'Brien's departure, said Northeastern Vice President Vincent J. Lembo.

"The Northeastern community thanks Dave for his contributions to Northeastern's athletics program," said Lembo. "His vision, leadership and commitment to our students and our student-athletes has propelled our program forward." Lembo noted that O�Brien led the university's move to the Colonial Athletic Association, resulting in increased regional and national exposure. Lembo also said that the graduation rate of 85 percent for student-athletes was an all-time high and point of pride for the university.

"I have thoroughly enjoyed my five years at Northeastern and my 17 years as a Division I athletics director," said O'Brien, who previously served as athletics director at Temple University and Long Beach State. "I am proud of the academic and competitive progress we have made at Northeastern University. However, the opportunity and challenge to lead the new sports management program at Drexel was very attractive to me."

Lembo said O'Brien and Roby would work together over the next three months to ensure continuity in the Athletics programs.

Roby joined the University in 2002 as the Director of the Center for the Study of Sport in Society. He has been a national leader in promoting the concept that the sports community should take a lead role in bringing about positive social change in society through research, education and advocacy. Prior to joining Northeastern University, Roby served as a vice president at Reebok. He was formerly head basketball coach at Harvard University.