The University at Albany has named Mark Benson as director of athletics. 

Benson, 45, becomes the university’s second AD since the program entered Division I sports 15 years ago. As director, Benson, who previously was the senior associate athletic director at Old Dominion University, will provide leadership for UAlbany’s NCAA Division I, 19-sport intercollegiate athletics program and its scholar student athletes.

 Following a nationwide search, Benson takes the reins of the university’s diverse athletics programs from outgoing AD Dr. Lee McElroy, who announced his retirement in June of this year. McElroy continues to work with the university as the senior advisor to the president for intercollegiate athletics advancement & engagement, where he aids in the transition of key donor relationships.

Benson also served as the assistant vice president for Athletic Development at Old Dominion, and has served in this capacity since August 2006. During his time at Old Dominion, Benson was responsible for budget preparation and administration, as well as providing sport supervision for men’s and women’s sailing. 

Prior to his time at Old Dominion, Benson worked at Coca-Cola Enterprises, Inc. as an Educational Channel manager. In his role with Coca-Cola, he managed the Educational Channel for the Commonwealth Division, which covers sales centers from eastern Delaware to eastern North Carolina. Benson developed financial and marketing proposals as well as negotiated beverage contracts with colleges and universities within his division.

 Benson and his wife, Hunter, have three daughters: Vandy Grace, Lydon, and Hannum. Benson is a graduate of North Carolina State University.

 “I am excited to join the University at Albany athletics program at this stage in its growth and potential,” Benson said. “My family and I feel warmly welcomed by the UAlbany community, and I can’t wait to settle in and get to work.”  

The University at Albany led an NCAA Division III program from 1972 to 1995, moved to Division II for four years, and then entered Division I competition in 1999. UAlbany has eight men’s and 11 women’s teams competing at the Division I intercollegiate level. Seventeen of the 19 are members of the America East Conference, while football competes in the Colonial Athletic Association, and women’s golf in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference.

Since entering Division I, UAlbany has won 74 conference championships and 25 regular season titles; 31 teams have participated in NCAA tournaments.  In the 2013-14 season, the Great Danes won eight conference championships and had 92 athletes achieve all-Conference honors. In 2006, the UAlbany Great Danes produced the first team in State University of New York history to play in the men’s NCAA Basketball Tournament.

Most notably, the UAlbany Great Danes excel as student-athletes. In 2013-14, the university had 30 America East All-Academic honorees, while four athletes were winners of a SUNY Chancellor Scholar-Athlete Award.

UAlbany student-athletes have also volunteered more than 20,000 hours in local organizations and charities.

UAlbany’s 2014 football season kicks off Saturday, Aug. 30 at Bob Ford Field against Holy Cross. The game will air on ESPN3 at 6 p.m.