7/3/2008 11:00:00 a.m.
Campbell Named New MQT AD
He will remain as the volleyball coach, in addition to his new role
Nick Dettmann
Reprinted with permission from The News Dispatch

For more than a year, Marquette volleyball coach Troy Campbell wondered why he hadn't applied for the vacant athletic director position at Marquette.

So when the opportunity came open again in May, he didn't let the chance pass him by. Now, he's got the job.

Campbell will be formally introduced as the Blazers' new athletic director at a news conference Monday, taking over for Eric Brauer, who left the school in May.

Campbell confirmed the hiring Wednesday night after the La Porte Police Department, where he had worked for nine years, received and accepted his resignation. It was later confirmed by principal Jim White.

"I'm really excited," Campbell said. "Becoming a bigger part of the Marquette community has been one of my goals. To do it in this capacity is very exciting."

Campbell becomes the school's third athletic director in three years. Brauer, who was also the school's baseball coach, was at the helm for one year after he took over for Duane Ticknor.

"Really for the year," Campbell said, "I was thinking about (applying for the position) and said, 'I should've thrown my hat into the ring.' This time I wasn't going to let that opportunity pass."

In May, Brauer announced his resignation to become the athletic director and baseball coach at Chicago Christian Academy. When that happened, Campbell decided to apply for the job.

"I think this was really the opportunity to leave the police department with the support of my family," Campbell said. "Everybody's really happy for me in this new position."

Campbell, in addition to his work as a patrolman for the police department, was the head coach of the Blazers' volleyball team. During that time, he's turned it into one of the most successful programs in state history.

The Blazers have won the last four Class A state volleyball championships, and have appeared in the state championship game during each year of Campbell's five-year tenure. He is 162-30 as the coach, a position in which he'll remain in.

When Brauer announced his resignation, current Blazers softball coach Jim Kintzele had shown an interest in the position, along with newly appointed girls basketball coach Rob Smith.

But what set Campbell apart, White said, was the respect he has with everyone involved at Marquette - the students, faculty and parents - and his ability to communicate and his vision for the future.

And most importantly, a plan to stay at the school long term.

"He has a commitment to this school," White said. "... He has experience dealing with the media and the public. He had a lot of attributes that we liked."

White said Campbell was a consensus pick by the search committee.
One of Campbell's first duties is to hire two new head coaches before the school year - track & field and baseball.

He is looking forward to his new role.

"I just can't be in a better place in my life right now," Campbell said.

Contact sports writer Nick Dettmann at ndettmann@thenewsdispatch.com or 874-7211, Ext. 447.

Campbell's volleyball coaching record

2003: 35-4 (state runner-up)
2004: 31-7 (state champion)
2005: 34-3 (state champion)
2006: 29-9 (state champion)
2007: 33-7 (state champion)
Total: 162-30 (.844)