6/19/99

ATHENS, Ohio -- Ohio University Intercollegiate Athletics Director Tom Boeh has agreed to extend his contract through June 30, 2004. Boeh begins the first year of the five-year contract in July.

President Robert Glidden said Boeh's outstanding leadership and performance are among the reasons for the four-year contract extension.

"I have been very pleased with Tom Boeh's leadership and his work on behalf of Ohio University athletics," Glidden said. "He has worked diligently to bring greater visibility to our programs and he has made excellent progress with our gender equity plans. Some of the improvements in athletics facilities -- most notabl y the new strength and conditioning center and the new academic support center -- are due to Tom's vision and planning."

Boeh, 40, came to Ohio University July 1, 1995, from Northwestern University where he was associate director of athletics for external affairs. He oversees an annual budget of more than $9 million and a staff of 64 employees that administer 20 men's and women's programs.

"It has been a pleasure and privilege to serve President Glidden throughout the p ast four years. The high quality of Ohio's faculty, staff, coaches and student athletes is among the best in the nation and it is an honor to be associated with this distinguished group of individuals," Boeh said. "It is most gratifying that President Glidden and the university leadership have affirmed the direction and objectives of the athletics program and I look forward to working with the university community in the years ahead."

During Boeh's tenure:

Ohio is ranke d 17th among the nation's Division I-A schools and seventh among I-A public institutions for student-athlete graduation rates. Since 1995, the accumulative grade point average of all Ohio student-athletes has risen from 2.75 to 2.9.

From 1995 to 1998 Ohio ranked second in winning percentage for all sports in the Mid-American Conference.

Fund raising by the Athletics Department for fiscal year 1999 currently is $1.1 million, up from $402,000 in 1994.

Three new wom en's sport programs -- golf, soccer and lacrosse -- have been added.

Twenty-one athletics facilities projects have been completed or are under construction, including the Joan and Wallace Phillips Academic Services Center, the Vern and Marion Alden Basketball Suite, the Dr. Steve and Kathy Carin Strength and Conditioning Center and the broadcast-quality lighting for Peden Stadium.