Miami University's new athletic director is Brad Bates, 43, former senior associate AD at Vanderbilt.

"There are few schools remaining that use an athletic curriculum as a way of developing students and can still compete for championships in all sports," Bates said Tuesday. "Miami University does both with integrity and a sense of its great tradition."

Bates replaces Joel Maturi, who left last summer to become AD at Minnesota.

Bates is a graduate of Michigan, where he was a walk-on defensive back. He played for Bo Schembechler, a Miami graduate and a member of MU's famed "Cradle of Coaches." Bates played at Michigan from 1977-81.

MU president James Garland said Bates is "an up-and-coming star in the sports management profession."