MCC News
Thu, Jan 19, 2012 - [MCC]
Mike McCaffrey addresses USF staff, coaches and members of the media.
Mike McCaffrey addresses USF staff, coaches and members of the media.
FORT WAYNE, Ind.-The University of Saint Francis has announced the appointment of Mike McCaffrey as athletic director. McCaffrey has served as the university's interim athletic director for nearly a year, after the retirement of athletic director Mark Pope.
University Provost Dr. Rolf Daniel praised McCaffrey's performance in the interim position and expressed confidence in his continued competence as athletic director.


"Over the past number of months, Mike has filled this position with enthusiasm, passion and dedication," Daniel said. "I am thankful for his professionalism, and have complete confidence that he will serve the university well as our new athletic director."

In 2011 McCaffrey graduated from Leadership Fort Wayne and was selected for The Greater Fort Wayne Business Weekly 40 Under 40 Team, which honors individuals under age 40 from across the region for their accomplishments on the job and in their communities. He is on the Board of Directors for the Fort Wayne Sports Corporation, and Big Brother & Big Sisters of Northeast Indiana.

McCaffrey, 34, joined the USF staff in April 2008 as director of sports marketing and promotions. He was promoted to assistant athletic director for marketing and promotions in July 2009. Previously McCaffrey served as general manager for the Fort Wayne Fusion football team. Prior to arriving in Fort Wayne, he spent nine years working in front offices of professional sports organizations including the Arena Football League, American Hockey League and minor league baseball.

"We are pleased to name Mike our athletic director," said university President Sister M. Elise Kriss, OSF. "His professionalism and dedication to our mission and values fit him well in his task of leading and developing our strong athletic programs."

"I would like to thank Sister Elise, Dr. Daniel and the USF administration and board for the opportunity to lead the University of Saint Francis' athletic department into the future," McCaffrey said addressing USF administrators, staff, coaches and media representatives on Tuesday morning. "It has been a very humbling and rewarding experience over the past eight months, serving as the interim athletic director. I am thrilled to move forward and continue to work with the Mid-Central College Conference and Mid-States Football Association to keep our conference among the strongest in the NAIA."

McCaffrey re-affirmed USF's committment to the NAIA Champions of Character initiative.

"Working at an NAIA institution is very different from others. We put higher standards on our student-athletes and expect more out of them than many other institutions. Our student-athletes, and more importantly our coaches, embrace that and consider it a very valuable part of what we do here at USF."

It has been a very interesting road McCaffrey has traveled to become the AD at USF.

"I probably have taken one of the more unconventional routes to becoming an athletic director compared to other ADs. So many things had to happen for me to be provided with this tremendous opportunity, that I can honestly say that I am here because of a plan that our Lord and savior has for me. I am a very big believer in things happening for a reason, and now, I am at a place in my life where my family, and now my career, has been solidified here in Fort Wayne. I couldn't be more thankful and committed to the Fort Wayne community."

"We have some really phenomenal coaches here at USF," McCaffrey continued. "They have all been a valuable resource for me throughout this process. I am excited about where this department is headed and hopefully I can provide these fantastic coaches with the resources and leadership they need to achieve all of our goals at USF, on the fields and courts as well as in the classrooms."

McCaffrey emphasized that USF will continue to strive toward leading in the community, serving others, and being a shining example for Fort Wayne and the northeastern Indiana region.

"We have national championships, we have conference championships and we have had some incredible success on the field over the past several years. What is more inspiring than any of that, is the character and quality of the student-athlete that our coaches recruit. Our student-athletes are always giving back to the Fort Wayne community and that is often more rewarding than wins."

"My personal goals for the athletic department have very little to do with wins and losses," McCaffrey added. "Those things come if you provide your coaches with the necessary tools to recruit the student-athletes that they want. My goal is to make sure that our coaches and student-athletes are representing our university well, working towards graduation and are being productive members of the USF community."

A native of Albany, N.Y., McCaffrey is a 2000 graduate of Old Dominion University in Virginia, where he majored in sports management. He lives in Fort Wayne with his wife, Angie, and two boys, Joel and Baylen.