Penn State AD Sandy Barbour will retire this summer

Penn State Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics Sandy Barbour will retire this summer, the athletic department announced Wednesday morning.

Barbour arrived in University Park in 2014 as the university’s ninth Athletic Director.

“These last eight years have been the most incredible and satisfying of my career,” Barbour said in a prepared statement. ‘The passion, the commitment and the purpose with which the Penn State community pursues excellence is like nothing I’ve ever experienced, and I am honored and privileged to have had the opportunity to serve Penn State students, coaches, faculty, staff and our incredible community.

“Thanks to Penn State, I’ve had the opportunity to develop amazing relationships, work with the best coaches and staff in all of college sports, and most importantly, been surrounded by the most remarkable student-athletes in the country. Penn State and the Happy Valley community have captured my heart and will always hold a treasured place.”

Nittany Lion athletics has garnered six NCAA titles in Barbour’s tenure — four in wrestling, and one each in women’s soccer and volleyball.

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Nittany Lion football has won one Big Ten title in her eight years on the job. The Nittany Lions have appeared in three New Years Six bowl games, winning two of them.

PSU made a pair of key personnel decisions late in Barbour’s tenure. Head coach James Franklin received a 10-year contract extension worth $70 million in base salary last November.

Several months before that, Barbour hired new head basketball coach Micah Shrewsberry.

Penn State said in a statement that it plans to conduct a “national” search for Barbour’s replacement, adding that more details will be forthcoming.

New Penn State president Dr. Neeli Bendapudi will be tasked with making that hire. Current president Eric Barron also intends to retire this summer.

“We are incredibly grateful for Sandy’s leadership and dedication to Penn State’s athletics program, student-athletes, coaches and staff, and fans across the commonwealth and beyond. It’s been an honor to work with her,” Barron said.

“Through her forward thinking, competitive spirit, and passion for people and sports, Sandy has built a collegiate model to aspire to and has helped the Nittany Lions thrive as one of the nation’s most successful athletics departments. Above all, her commitment to supporting our student-athletes is commendable and will have a lasting impact on their lives both on and off the field.”

Penn State coaches on Barbour’s retirement

James Franklin: “Sandy and I have worked for the last eight years to improve the experience of the student athletes we  serve. I have admired how deeply Sandy cares for our students, providing them with the resources needed to have a world class experience at Penn State, while preparing them for a lifetime of impact beyond their time here. Her friendship will be missed but I look forward to cheering her on in her next chapter. Fumi, the girls and I will forever appreciate the time we spent together at Penn State. We  Are…forever.”

Micah Shrewsberry: “I am forever grateful to Sandy for believing in me and giving me the opportunity to be the head coach at Penn State. I wish her nothing but the best in her retirement. She worked tirelessly to make Penn  State a better place for everyone in our department during her time here. I will miss her positive attitude, mentorship, but more importantly, her friendship.”