New Athletic Director arrives

Dr. Michael Cross became Bradley’s new athletic director in January, coming to Peoria from Princeton University, where he had been the executive associate director of athletics since July 2006. Cross supervises operations, athletic performance, NCAA compliance, communications, and fundraising for Bradley’s 14 intercollegiate athletic programs. He also serves as a liaison between the Department of Athletics and other divisions of the University and as a member of the president’s cabinet.

Cross said his top priorities for the next nine months include reviewing the organization of the Department of Athletics, enhancing its Web presence, and opening the Athletic Performance Center and the Puterbaugh Men’s Basketball Practice Facility. “At the simplest level, I look forward to going to work every day and making a difference in the lives of our student-athletes, coaches, and staff,” Cross said. “More broadly, I look forward to establishing strong relationships with all of the department staff, the campus community, alumni, and the Peoria community as we work to move Bradley forward.”

Cross holds an economics degree and a master’s degree in education from the State University of New York at Buffalo, where he played basketball for three years and was the assistant men’s basketball coach for a year. He earned his doctorate in higher education from the University of Michigan, where he was assistant director of compliance. Cross and his wife Jennifer have two sons.

He succeeds Ken Kavanagh, who became athletic director at Florida Gulf Coast University last May. Following his departure, Virnette House-Browning served as interim director of athletics.