July 24, 2018
Oakland University President Ora Hirsch Pescovitz, M.D. announced at a news conference today that following a national search, Steven C. Waterfield has been appointed Director of Athletics effective August 9, 2018. Waterfield comes to Oakland after serving as Executive Associate Athletic Director for the University of Nebraska.
Steven C. Waterfield |
Waterfield replaces Jeff Konya, who served as Director of Athletics from July, 2014 to February, 2018 when he left for a similar position at Northeastern University.
“Steve is a highly experienced and diligent leader and will be a strong advocate for our university, our student-athletes, alumni and all Golden Grizzlies,” said President Pescovitz. “He will work with OU leaders and community partners to strengthen our commitment to student success academically and athletically. His contributions to major universities have positioned him well for continued success here.”
"I am honored and humbled to join the Oakland University family, and I am incredibly grateful to President Pescovitz for her confidence in me. Together, we will provide a transformative student-athlete experience; we will compete for championships; we will graduate our students; and we will strengthen the connection with the university and with the community. My family and I cannot wait to be a part of an incredible Oakland community and I look forward to getting started."
Waterfield added, “I firmly believe student-athlete growth and engagement are priorities and I will work to assure our efforts are integrated with campus initiatives and opportunities.”
Waterfield joined the University of Nebraska Athletic Department in August of 2013 and initially oversaw athletic medicine, strength and conditioning, performance nutrition, Nebraska Athletics Performance Laboratory, data analytics, and strategic research. He also served as sport administrator for football, women’s soccer, and men’s and women’s tennis. He most recently oversaw communications, creative and emerging media, the spirit squad, HuskerVision and licensing and branding. He also served as Nebraska's liaison to IMG, the Big Ten Network and Fanatics.
Prior to his time at Nebraska, Waterfield spent two years as a senior administrator at University of Miami. While in Coral Gables, Waterfield oversaw sports medicine, strategic operations, facilities and maintenance, capital projects and construction, along with the men's and women's basketball programs. Halfway through his tenure, Waterfield added strength and conditioning, and human resources to his duties in place of facilities and maintenance, and capital projects and construction. He also became football's direct sports administrator, in place of women's basketball.
Prior to his stint at Miami, Waterfield spent seven years at University of Wisconsin – Madison, serving under Director of Athletics Barry Alvarez as an Associate Athletics Director for Student Services. There, he oversaw compliance, academic services and sports medicine, while also serving as sport administrator for the men's and women's soccer and men's and women's swimming and diving programs.
Waterfield began his collegiate athletics career by serving five years as an Assistant Director of Compliance at The Ohio State University.
Waterfield holds a law degree, a master's in business administration and a master's in sports management from Ohio State and a bachelor's degree in political science from Kenyon College. He is a member of the Ohio bar and U.S. Federal District Court and worked as an Assistant Attorney General in the Ohio Attorney General's office.
Waterfield and his wife of 13 years, Jaime, have two sons, Davis and Austin. Jaime is a Michigan State University women’s golf letter winner and currently works at CDW as the Senior Manager for Software Solutions Innovation.
Comments from Athletic leaders Waterfield has worked with:
“I think the world of Steve. A proven professional who will be an outstanding athletic director. His years of experience coupled with his genuine care for the student athlete will serve Oakland University well.” -Bill Moos, Athletic Director at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
“I am more than excited for the future of Oakland University under the leadership of Steve Waterfield. He is an extraordinary leader who cares genuinely about his staff, coaches and most importantly the quality of the student-athlete experience. Steve brings high integrity, intellect, work ethic and charisma. He always overdelivered on every job he ever did and made our department and team better. I am confident he will do the same at Oakland. I wish Steve, Jaime and his boys all the best!” -Heather Lyke, Athletic Director at the University of Pittsburgh
“Steve and I worked closely together for 2 years to help build a strong ACC basketball program. His understanding of how to best utilize and improve our resources was instrumental in us being able to win the 2013 ACC Championship. Steve is smart, knowledgeable and has a variety of professional experience that make him highly qualified and capable to be a successful Athletics Director and lead his own Athletic Department.” -Jim Larrañaga, University of Miami men’s head basketball coach.