Aug. 10, 2016

ATHENS, Ohio – Ohio University announced today a five-year contract extension for Athletics Director Jim Schaus. Schaus’ contract extension runs through June 30, 2021.

Schaus, who began his eighth year in Athens this past spring, was named Athletic Director on April 7, 2008 by President Roderick J. McDavis.

“I am very appreciative of the confidence in me by the institution,” said Schaus. “Our success is a team effort by a lot of talented people in the athletic department, on our campus and by our tremendous supporters. This is indeed a special place.  Eight years has gone by so fast.  I am very excited about our future.” 

Under Schaus’ leadership, Ohio has seen the best years in Bobcat athletics history including the 2012 NCAA Sweet 16 appearance by the men’s basketball program, the men’s basketball team earning a No. 2 overall seed in the MAC tournament this past season, the football team traveling to six bowl games in the past seven years including an 8-4 regular season record last season, a 23-win turnaround season and NCAA tournament berth for women’s basketball, MAC regular season championships, MAC tournament championships and NCAA tournament appearances in volleyball, a MAC tournament championship and NCAA tournament trip for baseball and numerous other conference and tournament championships for the Bobcats.

Ohio has made academics a priority under Schaus, posting the highest student-athlete GPA, graduation rates and APR rates in school history. Ohio has also continued its trend of strong NCAA compliance under Schaus with no major NCAA violations for the department to date.

Schaus has recently completed two major fundraising projects in the $13 million Walter Fieldhouse project and the $6 million Sook Academic Center campaign.

During his leadership, he guided the effort to transform a $2.3 million annual operating budget shortfall into a balanced budget in two years through increased resources and strategic reductions which helped the department meet annual budget projections. Ohio has now met revenue-expense operating budget for the eighth-consecutive year.

Ohio has led the MAC in attendance for football and men’s basketball and volleyball the last four years as well as leading student attendance. Last year, Ohio led the MAC in average home attendance in football, men’s basketball, baseball, softball, volleyball and field hockey.