Michael Szul was named Senior Associate Athletic Director for Finance, Administration and Planning by Patrick Hobbs on May 15, 2017 after serving as Senior Associate Athletic Director for Business Operations at West Virginia University since 2010.
In his role, Szul is charged with developing a long-term strategic financial plan for Rutgers Athletics that addresses its operational budget, reserves, anticipated gifts and endowments, debt service and future capital needs. In overseeing the financial management of the department, he will play an integral role in business agreements, negotiations and contracts. Among his many duties will be the oversight of human resources.
Szul brings nearly 20 years of administrative athletics experience that includes financial management, infrastructure enhancement, capital project oversight and ticketing.
In Morgantown, Szul was responsible for the athletic business office and management of a $90 million budget, while playing a key role in the department’s transition to the Big 12 Conference. Along with running the day-to-day business affairs, he also oversaw equipment, capital projects and information technology.
Prior to his tenure at WVU, he served as Associate Athletic Director at Middle Tennessee State from 2005-10, where he was in charge of all financial management including budget and infrastructure enhancement. He also handled contract oversight, game operations and travel for the football and men’s and women’s basketball teams.
Szul arrived at MTSU after working as the business manager at Louisiana State from 2003-05, where he managed revenue and oversaw a budget for LSU of more than $50 million. He coordinated team travel for the Tiger’s football, baseball and men’s basketball teams, and was in charge of daily business transactions.
Also at LSU, Szul served as an assistant ticket manager from 2001-03, and managed daily deposits of ticket and parking revenue totaling more than $18 million. He managed all activities relating to ticket sales for LSU football, basketball and baseball.
Szul got his start in full-time college athletics in July 2000, when he was named ticket manager at VMI. During his 15 months with the Keydets, he worked with the VMI Sports Hall of Fame, handled all financial aspects of the ticket office and managed the day-to-day sales and ticket operations.
Szul earned his bachelor’s degree in business administration from Robert Morris in 1998 and master’s degree from Indiana University of Pennsylvania in sport science in December 1999. He and his wife, Erica, have two sons, Dominic and Aaron, and one daughter Paige Anne.
