Bowling Green State University has announced a contract extension for Athletic Director Derek van der Merwe, which includes an expansion of duties.
The BGSU Board of Trustees agreed to an expanded portfolio during their February meeting for van der Merwe, now serving as vice president for athletics strategy and director of athletics with a contract through June of 2030.
“I would like to sincerely thank President Rogers and the Board of Trustees for their continued support of my leadership,” van der Merwe said. “During the last two years, I have had the chance to immerse myself into a campus community that starts in Bowling Green, Ohio, with its students, faculty, and staff, and reaches across the country and around the world through its alumni. BGSU continues to be a fast-growing and highly vibrant community because of the great people and leaders in this community who are passionate about this university’s focused mission of supporting, first and foremost, the student experience. I am very grateful for the continued opportunity to serve in this work, striving for excellence in all areas to move BGSU forward.”
Van der Merwe was hired on Oct. 25, 2022, as BGSU’s 15th athletic director. Overseeing 18 sports programs with 450 student-athletes and 35 club sports with 800 participants. So far in his time with Bowling Green, he has hired eight head coaches, including women’s basketball’s Fred Chmiel, men’s basketball’s Todd Simon, women’s soccer’s Chris Fox, softball’s Michelle Gardner, hockey’s Dennis Williams, swim and dive’s Tanner Barton, gymnastics’ Brittney Emmons and volleyball’s Alex DelPiombo.
“Since his first day on the job, Derek has hit the ground not just running, but sprinting, providing a forward-thinking, holistic experience for our student-athletes, supporters, and students,” BGSU President Rodney K. Rogers said. “The rapidly changing and increasingly complex landscape of Division I athletics, as well as public higher education, requires strong leadership during this transformational time for the collegiate athletics model. We are grateful for Derek’s commitment and work in leveraging the role of athletics at a comprehensive university, with his vision absolutely contributing to the momentum we are seeing at Bowling Green.”
Under Van der Merwe’s leadership, he has achieved the highest grade point average for student-athletes in university history, with a 91% graduation rate. Along with setting record giving for unique donors and collaborating with supporters in growing NIL opportunities for student-athletes.
Van der Merwe came to Bowling Green from the University of Arizona, where he served as the associate vice president and chief operations officer with the University of Arizona Athletics.
