DES MOINES, Iowa – Drake University Senior Associate Athletics Director for Strategic Initiatives and External Operations and Senior Woman Administrator Megan Franklin has accepted the role of Director of Athletics at the University of Northern Iowa, UNI announced this afternoon. Franklin exits the Drake athletic department after nearly 12 years on the Bulldogs' leadership team.
"I have had a master class in leadership with Drake Athletics while working alongside administrators and coaches as they lead with integrity and a commitment greater than themselves," Franklin said. "I am grateful for the trust instilled by President Martin and Athletic Directors Sandy Hatfield Clubb and Brian Hardin, who provided me opportunities to be involved in key areas of the department. Drake Athletics is truly Des Moines' hometown team. I will look back fondly on the relationships fostered within the community among alumni, donors, and fans. I will continue to cheer on the Bulldogs as I look back with pride for my tenure at Drake and what we collectively accomplished."
Franklin joined the Drake athletics staff in June 2012. In her position, she has provided leadership to the strategic priorities of the department, including the intersection of human resources and budget management, strategic planning, and risk management while serving as Deputy Title IX Coordinator. Also, she has overseen the operations of 15 of Drake's 18 teams during her tenure.
In August 2017, Franklin served as interim athletics director. During her tenure in that role, women's soccer won the regular-season Missouri Valley Conference championship and football finished second in Pioneer Football League action. The men's cross country program had its highest conference finish since 2012 including MVC Freshman of the Year honors as well.
Other highlights of her tenure as interim athletics director included establishing a priority facility project to replace the Knapp Center court with approval by the Board of Trustees, formed an exploratory group to implement alcohol sales at home basketball games and saw the implementation of priority registration for student-athletes in October 2018.
Franklin has been an essential piece to the Bulldogs competitive success in recent years. While serving as sport administrator for various teams on campus, Franklin helped bring in head coaches like Todd Stepsis, Pat Flinn, Darrin McBroom, Steve Smith, and Breaunna Addison, all of whom have earned or competed for league titles in their respective sports. Drake athletic teams have amassed over 35 total regular season and tournament championships while she has been involved in the department's leadership process.
"This is a fantastic opportunity for Megan and I am thrilled for her and for UNI," Drake University Director of Athletics Brian Hardin said. "The sustained level of excellence we are developing in the classroom, competition, and community at Drake has been a team effort which Megan has been an integral member. I have no doubt she will significantly influence Panther Athletics, the University of Northern Iowa, and the Cedar Valley."
Franklin came to Drake from Virginia Tech, where she spent four years as director of student life for the Hokies' athletic department from 2003-07 where she directed the NCAA/CHAMPS Life Skills Program. Under her direction, the program was honored with the Division 1A Athletic Directors' Association 2006 Program of Excellence Award.
Before that role, Franklin spent two years as an assistant athletic academic counselor at her alma mater, the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. She earned her bachelor's degree from Nebraska in 1998 and her master's degree in educational administration from the institution in 2001. In 2014, Franklin earned her doctorate in educational leadership and policy studies from Virginia Tech. She was selected for the NCAA Pathway Program 2015 Class. The program is the foremost leading athletic director development program in the NCAA for four individuals from each Division. Franklin's mentors are former Georgia Tech president Bud Peterson and former Florida Gulf Coast University athletic director Ken Kavanaugh.
Franklin has also learned from the best in the field through Women Leaders with involvement in the 2019 Executive Leadership Institute and Presidential and Search Firm Roundtables. Finally, she was an invited attendee to the CALS 2018 seminar hosted by Heather Lyke at the University of Pittsburgh.
Franklin's final day at Drake and official start date at UNI have not been determined yet, but both will occur in May.
