University of Northern Iowa Announces Major Athletic Leadership Change

Some big change is coming to the University of Northern Iowa.

University of Northern Iowa President Mark Nook shared the exciting news that they had hired a new Director of Athletics who checks off all of their boxes.

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Meet Megan Franklin

Nebraska native Megan Franklin has agreed to take on the prestigious title of University of Northern Iowa Director of Athletics.

Franklin served as the Senior Associate Athletics Director – Strategic Initiatives and External Operations/Senior Woman Administrator at Drake University for the past decade.

In 2017, she took over the role as Interim Athletics Director in 2017. Before she went to work for Drake University, she also held positions at Virginia Tech and the University of Nebraska.

“Megan’s vision of how UNI Athletics can compete for championships, while bolstering the profile of our entire university impressed me and the rest of our search committee,” UNI President Mark Nook said.

“We are excited for our entire campus community to meet her, as well as our passionate Panther fans and alumni.”

Franklin received a bachelor's degree in Community Health Education at the University of Nebraska as well as a master's degree in educational administration. In addition, she has a PhD in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies from Virginia Tech, according to reports.

When Does Franklin Start?

Officials confirm that Franklin has agreed to a five-year contract that must be approved by the Iowa Board of Regents.

"As I visited campus and engaged with President Nook, his leadership team and coaches and staff, it simply confirmed many of the reasons that I have admired UNI from afar for many years," Franklin said.

"I am excited to get to Cedar Falls to build on the legacies in the Athletics Director chair of the individuals before me."

She is set to begin this five-year tenure on Monday, May 13th. Panther fans can even meet the university's newest Director of Athletics at the remaining Panther Caravan stops next week (May 13th through the 16th).

This will kick off on Monday, May 13th in Clear Lake then the caravan will move through Waterloo, Des Moines, and Cedar Rapids.

Officials from the University of Northern Iowa confirmed that there will be an official press conference to introduce Franklin to the entire Cedar Valley and UNI community.

There are no specific details about that upcoming conference, but we will let you know as soon as the details are announced.

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