DaytonDailyNews.com

OXFORD — Director of Athletics Brad Bates said Miami University is all he could ask for. The feeling apparently is mutual.

Miami President David Hodge announced Wednesday, Feb. 20, that Bates had signed a new five-year contract lasting through June 30, 2013.

"I'm incredibly honored and feel very privileged, as I have for the last five years," Bates said.

His predecessors at Miami each left Oxford after several years to take similar positions at larger universities, but Bates said he looks at his current job as much more than a step on a ladder.

"This is one of the premier AD jobs in the country," he said. "We compete at the highest levels of the NCAA. There is no reason Miami cannot be a destination (for athletic administrators)."

Over the past five years under Bates, Miami's ice hockey program has achieved a national No. 1 ranking, the football team played in back-to-back bowl games, the men's basketball team has won two Mid-American Conference championships, and synchronized skating became the first United States team to win a medal in the world championships.

The university also has unveiled major improvements to its facilities, including the opening of the new Goggin Ice Center, permanent lighting at Yager Stadium, a new softball park and a renovated field hockey complex.

"During his tenure at Miami," Hodge said, "Brad has exemplified the core values that reflect Miami's aspirations for intercollegiate athletics: student academic success, student athletic success, and the recruitment, development and retention of excellent coaches and staff.

"I am excited that Brad will be able to continue the momentum he has begun in our intercollegiate athletics organization."

Bates said he and his wife, Michele, are excited as well.

"We absolutely love it here, the people, the university, the high quality of the staff," Bates said. "This is a very, very special place. In a way, we are a secret national treasure."

Contact this reporter at (513) 820-2197 or pconrad@coxohio.com.