Establishing an Endowed Athletic Directorship at Northeastern University
A proposal for William J. Conley, Jr., DMSB’90
For nearly a century, Northeastern’s Department of Athletics and Recreation has helped launch the university to national prominence through 14 varsity sports, while enriching campus life for all students through our extensive club, intramural, and campus recreation programs. With an endowed directorship of athletics, Northeastern can continue to rise in prominence and develop a more robust sports presence than ever.
We ask that you endow the position of Athletic Director, and install the inaugural directorship with the beloved alumnus and coach best known as “Mr. Northeastern”: Jim Madigan.
Northeastern athletics are currently experiencing tremendous momentum, and Athletic Director Madigan has exciting plans to strengthen our standing and improve our performances. Most important, an endowed directorship will give him the tools to bolster our student-athletes, their experiences, and their results.
A HIGH-IMPACT DIRECTORSHIP
Improvement of athletic training and competition facilities.
Many facilities naturally age, and equipment becomes ever more technologically advanced, but an endowed Athletic Director has the political capital to secure attention and funding to keep amenities modern.
Potential rise to a higher athletics conference.
We are in a position to bring Northeastern sports to a higher level entirely, moving from the Colonial Athletic Association to a more prominent conference in some Division I sports. Having an endowed athletic director is essential to being able to vie for this elevated role.
Growth in the current varsity sports at Northeastern.
An endowed directorship of athletics will attract high-achieving coaches, while retaining coaches and staff who see Northeastern as a career-defining destination. In turn, they will bring top-caliber athletes from around the nation and globe.
Jim’s Story
DECADES OF DEDICATION
1981–1985
- Madigan is a four-year letterwinner on the men’s ice hockey team at Northeastern, serving as a key contributor to two Huskies’ Beanpot championships in 1984 and 1985.
1986–1993
- As an assistant coach for the Huskies, Madigan recruits and coaches four All-Americans and 15 All-Hockey East selections.
1993–2011
- After a short stint at UVM, Madigan assumes various roles at Northeastern, including assistant director of physical plant services, director of athletic development, and associate dean and director of development in the College of Business Administration
1993–2011
- Additionally, Madigan serves as a scout for the Pittsburgh Penguins from 2006 to 2011, helping that franchise build a team that captures the Stanley Cup in 2009.
2006–2011
- As Northeastern men’s ice hockey coach, Madigan helps lead Northeastern to three consecutive Beanpot championships, two Hockey East titles, three NCAA appearances, and the first Hobey Baker Award and Mike Richter Award winners in program history. He also sees 20 of his players drafted by NHL teams.
2008–2017
- Peter Roby becomes the ninth athletic director of the university, building a successful athletics program that comprises high values in both athletics and academics. Roby and Madigan work closely to ensure the department’s commitment to excellence
Northeastern hockey legend Fernie Flaman
2017
- Madigan plays a key role in establishing the first endowed head coaching fund in university history, the Fernie Flaman Endowed Men’s Hockey Coach.
2018-2021
- Jeff Konya fills the role of Athletic Director, and is named 2020–21 NACDA Athletics Director of the Year.
2021
- Northeastern names alumnus and six-time Beanpot champion Jim Madigan the university’s 11th Director of Athletics and Recreation.
“As we began initiating the process to search for a new athletic director, it became apparent to many of us that the best candidate, Jim Madigan, was already here at Northeastern—demonstrating his deep commitment to our student-athletes over an impressive 30-year career.”
Jim Madigan has been an incredible mentor to me. After 10 years of rebuilding the men’s hockey team together, I’m truly looking forward to this next stage of our partnership.”
“I’m humbled and honored to be our next athletic director. I look at this role as a culmination of all my experiences here on the Northeastern campus.”
A PROGRAM ELEVATED IN PERPETUITY
The endowed Athletic Director position will be the first of its kind at Northeastern. It will provide funding in perpetuity to benefit our student-athletes and propel vital sports initiatives, while boosting the profile of the university’s athletic programs.
Importantly, this position will elevate Jim Madigan to a level where he can infuse the department with unparalleled momentum. And it will give him an essential stream of revenue that ensures he has the flexibility to respond to unforeseen opportunities and challenges, benefiting generations of student-athletes, coaches, and staff to come.