Mudd Named Worcester State University Director of Athletics

Worcester, MA --- Worcester State University has tapped Michael Mudd to be its fourth Director of Athletics.

Mudd will begin his new role starting June 9, following a wide ranging career as a senior executive of several professional ice hockey teams. Mudd comes to Worcester State having most recently served as the President of the Worcester Sharks.

"I am honored that the Board of Trustees, President Barry Maloney and the search committee have entrusted me to direct the athletic programs at Worcester State University," said Mudd.  "The university has some tremendous momentum taking place on campus.

“I look forward to making all aspects of the athletic program an important part of the university community, to contribute to the development of the entire student body." 

After running the day to day operations of a professional ice hockey franchise for the last 18 years, Mudd will now turn his attention to guiding Worcester State’s 20 Division III varsity sports programs and supervising the construction of the campus’ new 45 million dollar Athletics Wellness Center, which will be completed in 2016.

Mudd, a 1990 graduate of St. Lawrence University, played Division I ice hockey for four seasons while he also competed on the Division III baseball team in each of the four years he was enrolled.

Following a stint as a professional ice hockey player in the minor league circuit from 1990-92, Mudd served as an ice hockey coach at Miami University, located in Oxford, Ohio, from 1992-94.

After two years of coaching at the Division I level, Mudd took on various senior management posts with organizations including the Baltimore Bandits (AHL), as an Assistant General Manager from 1996-97; the Chesapeake Ice Breakers (ECHL – 1997-99), as General Manager; and the Cleveland Lumberjacks Cleveland Lumberjacks (IHL -1999-01), also as General Manager.

Mudd then became the Director of Marketing and Communication of the Cleveland Barons from 2001-02 before he transitioned into a new position as the Senior Vice President of the organization from 2002-10, which eventually moved to the Bay State during the 2006-07 season and became the Worcester Sharks.

“I am excited about Michael’s arrival and the skill set he will bring to Worcester State,” said Worcester State President Barry M. Maloney. “Mike, a former Division I athlete, has a keen understanding of the challenges faced by today’s student-athlete. I am confident he will do a great job.”

Mudd replaces interim Director of Athletics John Meany, who had been in the role for the 2013-14 academic year. 

While at St. Lawrence as a student-athlete, Mudd was on a pair of ECAC Ice Hockey Tournament Championship teams in 1988 and 1989. The Saints also made three consecutive trips to the NCAA Division I Tournament while Mudd was on the squad and lost in the National Championship title game in 1988.

Telegram & Gazette: (April 15) "Mudd Ready To Get Started At Worcester State"

Shrewsbury Lantern: (April 18) "Mudd Selected Athletic Director At Worcester State"

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