"I have given a great deal of consideration to this decision and it feels like the right time to retire," Seger said. "I have spent 30 years in education, including the past 19 years in athletic administration, and I want to explore opportunities outside of athletics."

"The quality of our men's and women's athletic programs is a direct reflection of Andi's outstanding leadership over the years," said Blaine A. Brownell, Ball State's president. "She has overseen the expansion of the department to 10 men's and 12 women's sports, all the while maintaining the university's commitment to the ideals of the student-athlete."

Seger arrived on the Ball State campus in 1975 as an assistant professor and assistant athletics trainer and in 1983 became Ball State's director of intercollegiate athletics for women.

In 1995, the university chose Seger to direct the newly combined men's and women's intercollegiate athletics program. At the time, Seger was one of only four women in the United States to oversee a combined NCAA Division 1A athletics department.

Some highlights of Seger's tenure:

• Ball State's athletic graduation rate routinely ranked in the top 10 for NCAA Division 1A athletics programs.
• Athletic graduation rates and an overall grade-point average of Ball State athletes remained higher than
  Ball State's general student population.
• Cardinal teams won 31 Mid-American Conference championships during Seger's 19 years as an athletic director, along with three MAC Jacoby and one MAC Reese trophies for overall excellence in women's and men's sports, respectively.
• Athletics department added women's golf and women's soccer.
• Average attendance at home football games increased to retain NCAA 1A status and membership in the Mid-American Conference
• Updates were completed to the football stadium, football building, basketball arena, and artificial turf football practice field.
   

"I have enjoyed the challenges over the past 19 years in both the women's and combined athletics programs," Seger said. "The reason I've stayed here is because Ball State and the Muncie community understand the role of athletics in a university setting. They have provided the support we need to compete on the field, while molding our athletes into successful students and contributors in the community."

Seger says she will continue to work hard until June 30, then take time off. She did not rule out maintaining an affiliation with Ball State in another capacity.

A national search for Seger's successor will begin immediately, with a goal of naming a new athletic director before Seger's last day in the position.

(NOTE TO EDITORS: For more information on this story, contact Glenn Augustine, associate director of university relations at (765) 285-1560 or ggaugustine@bsu.edu)