Syracuse University Athletics Director John Wildhack ’80 to Retire July 1
2/11/2026 1:00:00 PM | General
After 10 transformative years leading Orange Athletics, the ESPN veteran and Syracuse alumnus will end his tenure, following unprecedented academic and facilities achievements.
Syracuse University Director of Athletics John Wildhack '80 today announced he will retire on July 1, 2026, concluding a distinguished 46-year career, including 10 years at the helm of Orange Athletics and more than 36 years at ESPN.
"It has been the greatest honor of my career to lead Syracuse Athletics," says Wildhack. "Syracuse University shaped the trajectory of my life, and to spend nearly a decade serving my alma mater has been an extraordinary privilege. I'm proud of what we've accomplished: championship-caliber facilities, record academic achievement and student-athletes excelling on and off the field. I came here with a tremendous sense of responsibility and leave with profound gratitude for the opportunity to give back to the place that gave me so much."
Wildhack, a 1980 graduate of the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications, returned to Syracuse in 2016 after nearly four decades at ESPN, where he rose from production assistant to executive vice president for programming and production. At Syracuse, he oversaw significant investment in athletics facilities. These include the reimagination and renaming of the JMA Wireless Dome as well as the transformation of the John A. Lally Athletics Complex, a state-of-the-art academic and athletics village serving all 20 Syracuse University teams and more than 600 student-athletes.
"From the moment John returned to his alma mater in 2016, he has been relentless in his pursuit of excellence across all facets of Syracuse Athletics," says Chancellor Kent Syverud. "John has supported our student-athletes as competitors and scholars, he has transformed our athletics facilities. He has been a vital leader in the work of the Atlantic Coast Conference, and he has navigated the rapidly evolving college athletics landscape with expertise and vision. I am deeply grateful to John and wish him and his family the very best as he begins this well-deserved retirement."
Under Wildhack's leadership, Syracuse student-athletes achieved unprecedented academic success, with the University posting its highest Academic Progress Rate scores since tracking began. Beyond campus, Wildhack has been a leading voice on the future of college athletics. In May 2025, the Atlantic Coast Conference appointed Wildhack to the prestigious NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Committee, where he currently serves as the ACC's representative. He has also served as chair of ACC Athletic Directors and been instrumental in advancing discussions around student-athlete welfare, revenue sharing and the sustainable growth of college sports.
"I am incredibly proud of the competitive and academic success our programs have had over the last decade," says Wildhack. "I appreciate Chancellor Syverud, our Board of Trustees and our athletics staff for their passion, dedication and unwavering support of our student-athletes. To our fans, donors and Syracuse Nation, thank you for your commitment to Orange Athletics and thank you for supporting our teams in our pursuit of excellence."
Syracuse University has deep personal significance for the Wildhack family. His father, brother, sister and two nephews are graduates, and his sons Tommy '26 and James '27 are current students.
"Orange runs deep in my family," says Wildhack. "I will always be a proud alum, a proud parent and passionate supporter of Syracuse University and Syracuse Athletics. I will always be forever Orange."
Details about the search to identify Wildhack's successor are forthcoming.
"It has been the greatest honor of my career to lead Syracuse Athletics," says Wildhack. "Syracuse University shaped the trajectory of my life, and to spend nearly a decade serving my alma mater has been an extraordinary privilege. I'm proud of what we've accomplished: championship-caliber facilities, record academic achievement and student-athletes excelling on and off the field. I came here with a tremendous sense of responsibility and leave with profound gratitude for the opportunity to give back to the place that gave me so much."
Wildhack, a 1980 graduate of the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications, returned to Syracuse in 2016 after nearly four decades at ESPN, where he rose from production assistant to executive vice president for programming and production. At Syracuse, he oversaw significant investment in athletics facilities. These include the reimagination and renaming of the JMA Wireless Dome as well as the transformation of the John A. Lally Athletics Complex, a state-of-the-art academic and athletics village serving all 20 Syracuse University teams and more than 600 student-athletes.
"From the moment John returned to his alma mater in 2016, he has been relentless in his pursuit of excellence across all facets of Syracuse Athletics," says Chancellor Kent Syverud. "John has supported our student-athletes as competitors and scholars, he has transformed our athletics facilities. He has been a vital leader in the work of the Atlantic Coast Conference, and he has navigated the rapidly evolving college athletics landscape with expertise and vision. I am deeply grateful to John and wish him and his family the very best as he begins this well-deserved retirement."
Under Wildhack's leadership, Syracuse student-athletes achieved unprecedented academic success, with the University posting its highest Academic Progress Rate scores since tracking began. Beyond campus, Wildhack has been a leading voice on the future of college athletics. In May 2025, the Atlantic Coast Conference appointed Wildhack to the prestigious NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Committee, where he currently serves as the ACC's representative. He has also served as chair of ACC Athletic Directors and been instrumental in advancing discussions around student-athlete welfare, revenue sharing and the sustainable growth of college sports.
"I am incredibly proud of the competitive and academic success our programs have had over the last decade," says Wildhack. "I appreciate Chancellor Syverud, our Board of Trustees and our athletics staff for their passion, dedication and unwavering support of our student-athletes. To our fans, donors and Syracuse Nation, thank you for your commitment to Orange Athletics and thank you for supporting our teams in our pursuit of excellence."
Syracuse University has deep personal significance for the Wildhack family. His father, brother, sister and two nephews are graduates, and his sons Tommy '26 and James '27 are current students.
"Orange runs deep in my family," says Wildhack. "I will always be a proud alum, a proud parent and passionate supporter of Syracuse University and Syracuse Athletics. I will always be forever Orange."
Details about the search to identify Wildhack's successor are forthcoming.
John Wildhack Interview
Wednesday, February 11
Coach Jack Media Availability | Feb. 11
Wednesday, February 11
Men's Lacrosse Media Availability - February 10, 2026
Tuesday, February 10
Postgame Press Conference | Syracuse vs. Louisville
Sunday, February 08
