Story Courtesy of Ohio University Communications
Veteran intercollegiate athletics administrator Slade Larscheid has been appointed the Director of Athletics at Ohio University, President Lori Stewart Gonzalez announced today. Larscheid will be formally introduced to the OHIO community on Thursday, September 11.
“We had the opportunity to speak with several outstanding candidates over the past few weeks, which is a testament to the momentum driving Ohio University and our Department of Athletics,” Gonzalez said. “Ultimately, Slade has so many of the characteristics and experiences that we sought in a new Director of Athletics, including a demonstrated history of enhancing the student-athlete experience, valuing academics, winning championships and generating revenue. I have full confidence that Slade will build on our momentum, and we are thrilled to welcome him, his wife, Stephanie, and their four children to the Bobcat Family.”
Since 2020, Larscheid has served as the Deputy Director of Athletics at South Dakota State University, overseeing the day-to-day operations of the department, which includes 19 sports and 500+ student-athletes. He earned a bachelor’s degree in communications and a master’s degree in sports administration from Northwestern University, where he was a three-year letterwinner for the Wildcat Football team, earning academic All-Big Ten and scholar-athlete honors in 2006.
“There is something incredible going on at Ohio University, and athletics plays a special part in its uniqueness, carefully blending academics and athletic success,” said Larscheid. “It is a great university with strong fan and community support, and student-athletes and coaches who not only want to win, but who represent the green and white with pride and character. I am extremely grateful to President Gonzalez for her belief in how I can help raise up Bobcat Athletics, and my family and I cannot wait to get to Athens!”
At South Dakota State, Larscheid has oversight of all revenue generation and external relations, including fundraising, ticketing, marketing and communications. He has helped set records in fundraising and ticket sales, while serving as the liaison with the SDSU Foundation, Jackrabbit Sports Properties and SDSU Alumni Association. Larscheid has also served as the sport administrator for the football and wrestling programs, with the Jackrabbits winning back-to-back FCS National Championships in football in 2022-23.
Prior to being named Deputy Director of Athletics, Larscheid served as a major gifts officer for the South Dakota State University Foundation. Prior to SDSU, he served as Director of Athletics at Augustana University from 2014 to 2018, during which student-athletes set academic records, the department established new revenue benchmarks and several teams won championships, including the NCAA Division II Men's Basketball National Championship in 2016. Larscheid previously held positions as a fundraiser at South Dakota State University, Northern Illinois University and the University of South Dakota.
“We are thrilled that Slade and his family will join our family and continue the recent tradition of success of Ohio University Athletics,” said Chair of the Board of Trustees Matthew Evans. “I applaud the thoroughness and urgency with which President Gonzalez conducted this search, and our deep pool of candidates was reflective of her leadership, our momentum and the high esteem that many hold for our University. Today begins another chapter in our story, and Slade will usher in a new era of Bobcat Athletics.”
A native of Spearfish, South Dakota, Larscheid is married to Stephanie, and they have four children: Mark, Samantha, Trace and Jo.
