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Cross-ed out: Bradley athletic director resigns

Michael Cross will resign his position of Director of Athletics following the women’s Missouri Valley Conference Basketball Tournament.

Cross became Director of Athletics in January of 2010 after spending three years at Princeton University as the Acting Director of Athletics. During Cross’ 11 years on staff with the Tigers, the university claimed at least one individual or national champion each year.

Cross started his career as the assistant coach of the men’s basketball team while he was enrolled at the State University of New York at Buffalo in the early 1990s. In 1992, he moved up to become the Assistant to the dean of Students, a position he held for one year.

Outgoing Director of Athletics Michael Cross talks to current Associate AD for External Affairs Brett Burchette before the Bradley-Loyola game yesterday.
Outgoing Director of Athletics Michael Cross talks to current Associate AD for External Affairs Brett Burchette before the Bradley-Loyola game yesterday.

In 1994, Cross joined the University of Michigan, where he stayed until leaving for Princeton in 1999. At the time of his departure from Michigan, Cross was the university’s Assistant Director of Compliance.

Outgoing Bradley President Joanne Glasser thanked Cross for his contributions to the university in a statement.

“Cross is a man of high ethical standards, integrity and character,” Bradley University President Joanne Glasser said in a statement. “On behalf of the University community, we thank him for all that he has accomplished during his service and wish him well in his future professional endeavors.”

Under Cross’ five year tenure, Bradley Athletics saw the completion of the Renaissance Coliseum on Bradley’s campus, which now serves as the main offices for the Bradley Department of Athletics.

He also signed a five-year apparel partnership with Adidas, which became the primary outfitter for Bradley University sportswear at the beginning of the 2014-2015 academic year and implemented the gargoyle mascot KaBoom!, which celebrated its one-year birthday last Sunday during a basketball game against Loyola-Chicago.

Bradley teams under Cross’ tenure have won five MVC championships and have advanced to a postseason tournament six times.

Cross also released a statement through Bradley, thanking the university and its athletes for their support during his tenure.

“I cannot express enough gratitude to the senior staff, coaches and student athletes for living our mission and core values and for their tremendous commitment and personal dedication,” said Cross, “I also want to thank President Glasser and the University for the opportunity to lead the athletic department for the past five years.”

Cross’ resignation comes almost one month after President Glasser announced her retirement effective May 31.

This story will be updated if more details become available. Last update: 2/16/15 at 6:54 p.m.

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