Courtesy Vermont Athletic Communication
BURLINGTON, Vt. - University of Vermont Vice President for Student and Campus Life Dr. Thomas Gustafson announced today that Athletic Director Dr. Robert Corran has agreed to a new three-year contract that runs through the 2009-10 season with an option for an additional three years. The new contract will take effect on July 1. Corran's base salary for the 2007-08 season will be $175,000.
"Bob has provided outstanding leadership during his relatively brief time at UVM. His accomplishments have exceeded our expectations on virtually all fronts, and I am very pleased that we were able to secure his place with us for a number of years to come," said Gustafson.
"We still face some real challenges, especially in the facilities improvement area, and Bob's skills will be essential to our addressing them successfully. I have every confidence that UVM athletics, and our recreational, health, and fitness programs will continue to achieve ever increasing levels of excellence under the leadership of Bob Corran and his team," continued Gustafson. "I am most grateful to President Fogel and Tom Gustafson to have this opportunity to continue serving the exceptional student-athletes and staff found at UVM," said Corran. "They are among the finest people I have had the good fortune to be associated with. Knowing of their quality and the support from our alumni and friends, I can only feel great optimism and excitement as we prepare for the challenges we will face in the coming years."
Corran, who just finished his fourth year at the helm of the UVM athletic program, will also add the title of Associate Vice President to go along with his role as Director of Athletics.
Since arriving on the Burlington campus, Corran has been instrumental in helping change the culture of UVM's athletic department. The Catamounts have won three straight America East Academic Cups while steadily rising in the league's Commissioner's Cup standings, demonstrating the department's commitment to developing the complete student-athlete.
Among the many accomplishments Corran has achieved at Vermont, one of the most important has been the implementation and development of the Victory Club. This all-encompassing group provides financial and community support for all UVM varsity athletic programs. The Victory Club has been the primary vehicle to increase scholarship support, which will, over a five-year period, increase from 82 scholarships totaling $2.4 million distributed primarily across eight sports to 124 scholarships totaling $3.6 million distributed across 20 sports.
He has also overseen development of a strategic plan for the athletic department which resulted in moving the men's and women's hockey programs from the ECAC to Hockey East; expansion of academic support programming and facilities; renovation of space in the Patrick Gymnasium complex to create the UVM Strength & Conditioning Center; renovation of Gutterson Fieldhouse; the construction of Moulton Winder Field; and continued athletic facility planning and research.
Corran has hired new head coaches in 12 sports since arriving in 2003 and has increased salaries for coaches, while also creating a new contract structure for the staff. He has also established full-time assistant coaching positions in several sports.
Under Corran's leadership Vermont team's have been recognized as some of the most improved in the NCAA in recent years, including the women's basketball program in 2006-07.
The Catamounts also ranked above the national average in several sports in the NCAA Academic Progress Rate (APR). In April, the NCAA Division I Committee on Athletics Certification announced that the University of Vermont has been certified without qualification, as part of the association's second cycle of athletics certification. The purpose of athletics certification is to ensure integrity in the institution's athletics program and to assist institutions in improving their athletics departments. A designation of certified means that an institution operates its athletics program "in substantial conformity with operating principles adopted by the Division I membership."
Corran was named Director of Athletics at the University of Vermont on May 7, 2003. He is the eighth director of athletics in the modern era at Vermont and the third since 1973.