Randale L. Richmond has been selected to serve as Kent State’s director of athletics, according to an email sent from the university on Friday. 

“Randale Richmond embodies our Kent State commitment to graduating student-athletes and to winning championships, in that order,” President Todd Diacon was quoted as saying in the email. “His enthusiasm for Kent State and for student-athlete success is infectious, and we welcome Randale and his family back into our Kent State family.”

The university’s search committee narrowed the candidate pool to three final candidates who each delivered virtual presentations to members of the Kent State community. 

Richmond, currently the senior associate director of athletics at Old Dominion University, delivered his candidate presentation April 6. He has spent 16 years involved in intercollegiate athletics, 10 of which were spent at Kent State from 2004 to 2015. 

“My family and I are beyond excited to return to Kent State and lead an outstanding athletics department,” Richmond is quoted as saying in the email. “The university’s mission is to transform the lives of our students through access and education, a goal which is core to my beliefs. As a department and university, we will deliver on this mission.”

According to the email, Richmond’s formal introduction to the position will take place at an upcoming news conference.

Emma Andrus covers the university’s administration. Contact her at [email protected].