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Berlo Contract Extension 2021

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UMD SIGNS ATHLETIC DIRECTOR JOSH BERLO TO CONTRACT EXTENSION


 
Chancellor Dr. Lendley (Lynn) Black announced today that the University of Minnesota Duluth has signed Athletic Director Josh Berlo to a three-year contract extension to stay in Bulldog Country (pending Board of Regents approval). UMD's contract extension acknowledges the tremendous program-wide multidisciplinary success of Bulldog Athletics under Berlo's leadership. UMD Athletics continues to be one of the most respected and accomplished Division I / II Athletic Departments in the NCAA. This new contract will keep Berlo in Duluth through June 2026. 
 
"Bulldog athletics continues to excel across the board under Josh's leadership," says Chancellor Dr. Lendley (Lynn) Black. "Our student-athletes are successful in competition while also maintaining impressive academics. Josh provided solid and responsive leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic and has managed successful fundraising efforts that help support athletic programs and our students. He has built a strong leadership team and is a steady leader in ensuring the continued success of Bulldog athletics."
 
Added Vice Chancellor for Student Life and Dean of Students Dr. Lisa Erwin, "I am so pleased that Josh will continue to serve in this important leadership role at UMD. Working together, the relationship between Athletics and Student Life has never been stronger and more effective. Initiatives have included support for student mental health, training for students and staff on a number of topics of mutual interest, and programming for alumni relations. Josh's support and advocacy for all Bulldogs makes him an outstanding partner and I look forward to working with him on more ways to engage our students for the foreseeable future."
 
"Josh is committed to the academic excellence of our student-athletes and the overall average GPA proves that his efforts have been successful," said Dr. Stephen B. Castleberry, NCAA Faculty Athletic Representative at UMD and Professor of Marketing & Business Ethics in the Labovitz School of Business and Economics. "He increased academic counseling for student-athletes, providing enhanced services including on campus and at AMSOIL Arena, where our hockey teams practice and compete. His tireless work with gender equity and inclusiveness both on our campus as well as in our conferences, his being named a DII Athletic Director of the Year, and the countless improvements in facilities has provided an incredible student-athlete experience."
 
Berlo and HArmonBerlo came to UMD in 2013 from the University of Notre Dame after a 13 year tenure and has since led the Bulldogs to greater levels of excellence that include multiple national and conference championships, record setting academic achievements, significant facility enhancements, enhanced marketing and fan engagement as well as a strategic focus on the student-athlete experience. 

Since his arrival, Berlo has hired six head coaches covering 11 of the 16 varsity programs at UMD. Four of those coaches have led their teams to NCAA postseason competition and two have been named national or conference coach of the year (Maura Crowell - women's hockey, national coach of the year in 2017 and Mandy Pearson - women's basketball, conference coach of the year in 2020). Moreover, 14 of the 16 Bulldog teams have reached the NCAA Tournament during Berlo's eight years guiding the department and all have excelled in the classroom, in the community, and in competition. 

Under Berlo's leadership, Bulldog athletics has also furthered its history of women leading UMD's athletics programs and was honored in 2016 with an "A" rating by the the Tucker Center for Research on Girls & Women in Sports. 

Josh and Michael"I am appreciative and grateful to Chancellor Black, the University community and Bulldog faithful for their support of me and our great Bulldog athletic programs," said Berlo. "Meg, Michael, and I love being part of the Northern Minnesota community and are fortunate to be surrounded by so many extraordinary individuals who have made our time during the past eight years so enjoyable. It is a humbling honor to support the amazing Bulldog student-athletes, coaches, and staff that I work with each day. We have built a rock solid culture of excellence in the classroom, community, and in competition. I am proud of the significant accomplishments of our athletic department and we would not be where we are today without the support and leadership of everyone. I look forward to fostering an even greater level of excellence."

For these and other accomplishments of Bulldogs Athletics, Berlo was named a 2018 NCAA Division II Under Armour Athletic Director of the Year.

As UMD's Director of Intercollegiate Athletics, Berlo supervises UMD's coaches, staff, administrative personnel, and is responsible for the Bulldogs' nearly 400 student-athletes. He also develops and implements the strategic plan, manages an annual departmental budget of approximately $12 million, directs the use of UMD athletic facilities, and leads fundraising and marketing efforts.

Highlighted accomplishments of Bulldog Athletics under the leadership of Berlo are listed below:
 
Classroom
  • UMD's nearly 400 student-athletes -- including redshirt freshmen -- collectively have posted an all-time high GPA in seven of the past eight years --- with a new record in 2020-21 of 3.44. 
  • UMD Athletics has earned 852 All-Conference Academic Honors (NSIC, WCHA and NCHC) and 53 NSIC Myles Brand Academic Award Winners (does not include the athletic season 2020-21).
  • UMD held the distinction of producing more NSIC Elite 18 Award recipients than any other member institution in 2017-18 (six student-athletes) and has produced 13 winners in the last eight years. The NSIC Elite 18 Award is bestowed to the student-athlete with the highest cumulative grade-point average participating at the final site for each of the NSIC's 18 Championships.
  • The Jamar Athletic Academic Study Center, which is housed in the UMD Sports and Health Center complex, was recently renovated with improved enhancements for student-athlete academic support through the partnership with the Jamar Company (and in memory of Walker Jamar Jr.), it continues to pay major dividends for the Bulldogs in the classroom.  This space now includes a group study room and an adjacent office for the Academic Advisor for student-athletes.
 
Community
  • UMD student-athletes and staff have continued to give back to the Duluth community over the years. The Bulldogs have steadily increased volunteer hours in the local community from over 2,000 hours per year (2013-14) to over 4,500 hours per year (2018-19).
  • In addition, UMD Athletics' Mission and Vision Statement, was overhauled in 2014 and most recently updated in 2020.  This continues to be a critical guide for the future of Bulldog Athletics and a clear statement of the Athletic Department's values.
  • Through sales of UMD camouflage hats and commemorative coins along with individual donations, UMD has raised over $70,000 for Operation One Voice as part of the Bulldogs' annual Military Appreciation Nights. Operation One Voice is a program designed by veterans, police officers, firefighters and community leaders to generate funds to help support the immediate needs of children and families of wounded and fallen Special Operations Forces.
  • UMD claimed the inaugural NSIC Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) Cup in 2017-18. Highlights of UMD's year included raising $3,379 for Make-A-Wish, participating in all three NSIC SAAC Initiatives, and engaging their campus community in their regular SAAC meetings.
  • The NCAA appointed Berlo to a four year term on the NCAA Division I Women's Ice Hockey Committee beginning on September 1st, 2020.
 
Competition
  • 17 total conference (NSIC and NCHC) regular season and tournament championships have been achieved in the last eight years. 
  • Bulldog men's hockey won two National Championships (2018 and 2019 --- just the third team in 47 years to win back-to-back NCAA men's hockey championships) as part of an incredible run of four consecutive Frozen Four appearances (including three straight championship game appearances). 
  • The UMD men's and women's hockey programs both reached their respective NCAA Frozen Fours in the same season for the first time in their history during the 2020-21 season.
  • UMD women's hockey alumni won Olympic Gold in 2018 with Maddie Rooney and Sidney Morin as key contributors to the U.S. women's hockey team that defeated Canada by a score of 3-2 at the Winter Olympics in South Korea.
  • The Bulldog men's hockey program notched its sixth Hobey Baker Memorial Award winner (the most in college hockey) in Scott Perunovich (2020).
  • In addition, UMD has claimed three individual national championships in women's track and field (Samantha Rivard in 2014, Emi Trost in 2017, and Danielle Kohlwey in 2019).
  • Top five national rankings were obtained by women's volleyball, football, women's cross country, men's hockey, and women's hockey – including extended periods at number one by women's volleyball and men's hockey.
  • UMD Athletics has produced over 100 All-Americans across 16 programs since 2014.
  • UMD men's hockey saw its 63rd former Bulldog to skate in the National Hockey League. 
 
Other Accomplishments
  • Bulldog Athletics is annually ranked in NCAA Division I top three for women's hockey attendance, top six for men's hockey, and top three for Division II women's volleyball attendance.
  • On the fundraising front, more than $1 million was raised from nearly 2,000 donors during the 2020 fiscal year. This marks the seventh consecutive year and seventh time overall that Bulldog athletic development generated over $1 million in gifts. Prior to Berlo's arrival, the Bulldogs had never reached the $1 million fundraising mark. 
  • UMD Athletics has hosted a number of high profile events with the Duluth community seeing direct economic impact. In 2017 the Bulldogs hosted their first College Hockey Inc., Ice Breaker Tournament which featured over 13,000 fans over the course of the weekend. The Bulldogs will once again be host in the fall of 2021. The Ice Breaker Tournament is college hockey's premier kick-off event to the season which brings together four of the top programs in the nation, typically from different conferences. 
  • The Bulldog marketing team has won over 20 awards for its innovative marketing efforts with "Best of" Awards from the National Association of Collegiate Marketing Administrators (NACMA) in the past eight years.
  • The Bulldogs have also hosted the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference Outdoor Track & Field Championships twice -- which hosts 27 teams and over 800 student-athletes over a 3-day period in May. This event produces a local economic, media, and community impact of over $500,000 with each hosting. 
  • A $10 million renovation of Romano Gymnasium that included a new state-of-the-art playing surface, bleachers, addition of a $350,000 LED HD video scoreboard, lighting and sound system, central production room to broadcast for regional TV, and a number of aesthetic additions.
  • The Bulldog Scholarship fund raising phase for the benefit of all UMD Athletics programs led by the 2016 Goldberg Scholarship Challenge raising over $1.5 million for Athletic Scholarships. 
  • In addition, the total Athletics Scholarship Endowment has been tripled to approximately $5 million. Donor funded renovations and scholarship funding initiatives have included: the Jamar Academic Center for Student-Athletes, the Seyfer Bulldog Team Room and Video Suite, the H.B. Hanna Home Coaches Booth, the Erickson Athletics Reception, the Mike Sertich Head Men's Hockey Coaches Office, the Superior Beverages Club Lounge, Justin Faulk Hockey Athletic Training Office, Dave and Doris Walter Softball Locker Room, and the Farrell Family Athletics Business Center.
  • In addition, new scoreboards were installed at Junction Field and Bulldog Park benefiting the UMD softball and baseball programs. 
  • Recently honored a half-century of Bulldog Women's Athletics with the 50 for 50 Women's Athletics Initiative that included a yearlong celebration and the creation of a women's athletics specific endowment.
  • Expanded coverage of Bulldog Athletics through the KDAL, My9, CBSS, FSN, NCHC, WCHA and NSIC partnerships resulting in more games broadcasted and streamed on larger platforms with better production quality than ever before.
  • Enhanced strategic partnerships such as Essentia Health and Under Armour, benefiting the health, welfare, and competitive advantage of the Bulldog student-athlete.
  • Bulldog Locker Room renovations of UMD football, women's volleyball, women's basketball and men's basketball, women's soccer, women's tennis, and softball. 
  • Strategic planning investments for the future of Bulldog athletics with the creation of Bulldogs 2025. 
  • UMD athletic sponsorship and ticket revenue has topped the $3 million mark five times (all record highs). 
 
See below for all accomplishments by year under Berlo's leadership of Bulldog athletics:  
About Athletics
The UMD Department of Intercollegiate Athletics mission is to create a strong sense of pride amongst Bulldog Country through academic superiority, strength in community and competitive excellence.

Now in its ninetieth year of operation, it continues to maintain one of the most competitive and balanced sports programs of its size in the country.
 
 

 
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