Case Western Reserve Director of Athletics Dave Diles has accepted a position leading the sports programs of the Virginia Military Institute (VMI), the oldest state-supported college of its kind in the United States.
“I congratulate Dave on this new opportunity and wish him the best,” said Louis W. Stark, the university’s vice president for student affairs. “I am confident that our coaches and players will continue their exemplary performance during this time of transition.”
Diles came to Case Western Reserve eight years ago from Eastern Michigan University. Prior to his stint there, he spent five years leading athletics at St. Bonaventure University in western New York. Diles earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Ohio University, and his doctorate in education from the University of Michigan.
During Diles’ time at Case Western Reserve, the Spartans enjoyed significant competitive success. Among the highlights was the football team’s 38-game regular season winning streak, first-ever NCAA playoff berths for multiple teams and Esther Erb’s (CWR ’08) national championship in the 10,000-meter run.
In Diles’ first year the university also opened the Village at 115, which included a new home for athletic teams, including dramatically expanded fan seating and formal press and coaches’ boxes. More recently trustee James C. Wyant (CIT ’65) named the Village track after his longtime coach and mentor, the late William “Bill” Sudeck; Wyant then provided the lead commitment for a field house to be built at the northeast end of the Village. The $8 million, 24,000-square-foot, two-story structure will include a weight room, cardiovascular workout facility and space for study sessions, meetings and alumni gatherings.
“Case Western Reserve’s record of academic and athletic excellence is remarkable,” Stark said, “as is our alumni support for these programs. I am confident we will attract outstanding candidates for this key leadership position.”
Stark and Provost W.A. “Bud” Baeslack III said they would provide the campus community additional information about their interim plans for the department within the coming weeks. The two said the university will conduct a national search for a successor, and engage students, alumni, staff, faculty and other key stakeholders in the process.
Located in the Shenandoah Valley, VMI offers 18 sports competing in NCAA Division I. The school enrolls about 1,650 cadets, and roughly one-third of them participate in varsity athletics. Diles will succeed Donny White, who retires in November after 15 years leading athletics.