Darron Boatright has been promoted to director of athletics at Wichita State University after serving as the department’s chief operating officer, then interim director, since April 2015.

Boatright's appointment was announced Friday morning to the athletic department staff by WSU President John Bardo.

“I’ve had the opportunity to work regularly with Darron on complex issues including conference affiliation, football, academic excellence and funding,” Bardo said. “He has the experience, judgment and leadership skills needed to be successful in this important role.”

Bardo said fielding competitive teams and growing the department is important, but Boatright will also be evaluated for:

• The academic success and graduation rate of WSU athletes.
• Retaining and hiring good coaches and support personnel.
• Fundraising for scholarships and facilities.
• Leading athletics in a manner that contributes to the quality of the campus experience for all WSU students.

“I’m grateful that Eric Sexton brought me here six years ago and taught me so much about the city and the university,” Boatright said. “I was drawn to the opportunity to compete for championships in all 15 sports we play at the intercollegiate level.

“I have learned from working with talented coaches and staff how this success in competition takes place. My goal is to assist them in sustaining this success, focusing on areas where we can improve as a department and reach a complete program of excellence. I see the greatness of Wichita and the value of Shocker athletics to building both the university and the region.”

Background

Prior to coming to WSU in 2010, Boatright held athletic administration roles at the University of Alabama-Birmingham and Murray State University. He was a member of the University of Alabama basketball coaching staff from 1998-2005 and was part of four NCAA Tournament teams and two NIT teams while serving as director of basketball operations.

Boatright earned a bachelor's degree from Murray State in 1998, graduating with a double major in political science and history. He earned a master's degree in Higher Education Administration at Alabama in 2004. Boatright and his wife, Kim, have four children: Fletcher, Maddie, Zoe and Sarah Frances.