Upper Iowa University announced Rick Hartzell as the University's new director of athletics. Hartzell will assume his responsibilities January 3, 2018.
Hartzell is no stranger to northeast Iowa; he served as the director of athletics at Northern Iowa from 1999 through 2008.
During his time with the Panthers, he oversaw 18 intercollegiate sports, 475 student-athletes, 65 coaches, 7 administrators and 22 support staff. Hartzell initiated the construction plans for the McLeod Center and worked hand-in-hand with the Northern Iowa Development Office to raise all of the required funds to build the facility.