Cornell extends contract of athletics director through 2022

ITHACA, N.Y. — J. Andrew (Andy) Noel, Cornell University’s director of athletics and physical education, will lead the Big Red sports program for at least six more years.

Ryan Lombardi, VP for student and campus life at Cornell, announced on Monday that Noel’s employment contract has been extended through June 2022. No financial terms were disclosed.

“I have full confidence that Andy will continue to lead our Department of Athletics and Physical Education in the exceptional manner he has for the past 18 years,” Lombardi said in a news release posted on the university’s website. “He has the full support of the Cornell administration as he continues to promote the student-athlete experience.”

Under’s Noel’s guidance, Cornell teams have won 92 Ivy League team titles and 16 individual national titles during his tenure, the university said.

Noel has also successfully upgraded several department facilities including renovating Schoellkopf Hall and Schoellkopf Field, Lynah Rink, Hoy Field, Niemand Robison Field and the Lindseth Climbing Wall, building the Marsha Dodson Field and the McGovern Fields complex, and overseeing the completion of the Friedman Wrestling Center.

During his 18 years as athletics director, Noel has led a fundraising team that has raised more than $70 million in support of capital projects and endowment and an additional $60 million in gifts to support annual operations, the university said.

Before becoming director, Noel spent three years as an associate athletics director, two years as an assistant director in the department’s public affairs office, and 14 years as Cornell’s head wrestling coach (1974-88).

Contact Rombel at arombel@cnybj.com