Bob Corran, who has served as the University of Minnesota-Duluth's Director of Intercollegiate Athletics the past six years, has stepped down to accept a similar position at the University of Vermont.

Corran's last official day at UMD will be June 15.

Under Corran's watch, UMD athletics has undergone significant changes, including creation of the Bulldog Club, the development of a strategic plan and reorganization for the department, the addition of women's ice hockey, and vast increases in both overall fundraising and scholarships. Over the past six years, the Bulldogs have collectively won three NCAA national championships, six Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference All-Sports titles and 55 NSIC/Western Collegiate Hockey Association crowns. In 2002-03, UMD has laid claim to 11 of a possible 13 conference titles to date and earned its first NCAA Division II playoff berth in the 70-year history of its football program.

\"Leaving UMD and Duluth is one of the most difficult decisions my wife, Libby, and I have ever had to make,\" said Corran, 54, who joined the Bulldogs in 1997 after a 12-year stint as athletic director at the University of Calgary. \"This is a wonderful university and city with so many caring and committed people. Through the efforts of countless individuals, a strong and stable foundation has been built for the athletic program.

\"I can proudly say that the next athletic director will have as fine a group of coaches and staff he or she could ever hope for.\"

An interim replacement for Corran is expected to be made shortly with a permanent athletic director set to be in place sometime later this year.