Fritz Russ named UC Faculty Athletics Representative

President Nancy L. Zimpher has appointed Dr. Fritz Russ, Senior Vice Provost and Professor of Marketing, as the faculty athletics representative for Bearcat Athletics, effective February 1, 2007.  Russ succeeds Dr. Nancy Hamant, Coordinator of Professional Experience and Associate Professor in the College of Criminal Justice and Human Services, who is retiring.  Hamant has taught at UC since 1964 and served as faculty athletics representative for the last 21 years.  As Dr. Russ assumes this new role, he will also be making a planned transition back to the full time faculty of the College of Business.

"Fritz Russ will play a significant role as the UC athletics department moves forward in pursuit of the CATAPULT goals and the support of our UC|21 initiatives," Zimpher said. "Fritz is well known and highly regarded on this campus, a person who is committed to UC's future. He will do a fine job as UC's faculty representative."

"I can't think of a more exciting time to hold this position," Russ said, referring to the university's commitment to success in the classroom and on the court. "I am very impressed with the potential of our Athletics program under (Director of Athletics) Mike Thomas’ leadership and I am equally impressed with what I have learned about the BIG EAST Conference.  Nancy Hamant leaves big shoes to fill, but I am sure that with her help and the help of the athletics department staff the transition will be smooth and productive."

As the NCAA indicates, the university’s faculty athletics representative (FAR) "works to support a campus environment where athletics is maintained as a vital component of the educational program and where student-athletes constitute an integral part of the student body."  Academic integrity, institutional control of the athletics program, and promotion of student-athlete welfare are a FAR’s major focus.

The position's duties include being a liaison between academics and athletics; serving on the University Athletics Committee; assisting in institutional certification processes; participating in compliance reviews; monitoring student-athletes’ academic performance and their welfare, assessing and advising on NCAA and conference policies; and attending conference and NCAA meetings.

"We're very excited that Fritz Russ has accepted the position," said Mike Thomas, director of athletics. "Fritz has been a big supporter of the athletics program, and I'm excited to get to work with him, as is the rest of our administrative staff. We're hoping that his experience in a lot of different areas will help as our team strives to move Cincinnati Athletics forward."

Russ, who joined the UC faculty in 1989, is the former Dean of the College of Business Administration and former Marketing Department head.  Before coming to the University of Cincinnati, he was a chaired professor at the University of North Carolina, where he also served for four years on the university’s faculty athletics committee.  Russ earned a bachelor's degree from Eckerd College, and a masters and doctorate from Carnegie-Mellon University.