Bucknell University named Jermaine Truax its next director of athletics & recreation on Thursday morning following a two-month national search.
Truax comes to Bucknell from Loyola University Chicago, where he is deputy director of athletics. Truax will officially join Bucknell on July 1.
“Jermaine’s demonstrated leadership abilities, diverse administrative experience and commitment to a true student-athlete model positioned him as an exceptional candidate in what was an extremely competitive search,” said President John Bravman. “I am excited to see the ways in which he helps elevate what is already among the best Division I athletic programs in the country.”
“I am honored and excited by this incredible opportunity, and I would like to thank President Bravman and the members of the search committee for their confidence in me,” Truax said. “Bucknell and its student-athletes represent everything that is right about college athletics. There exists here a rare combination of both a great tradition of competing and winning in the arena of play, and, most important to me, first-rate academics.”
In 2016, Truax was selected as one of 23 participants in the National Collegiate Athletics Association’s (NCAA) Pathway Program, which the NCAA describes as a yearlong experiential learning program for senior-level administrators. Truax also holds the 2012 Rising Star Award, which the National Association for Athletics Compliance gives in recognition of young compliance professionals considered to be emerging leaders within the profession.
In his current position at Loyola Chicago, Truax oversees day-to-day operations of Loyola Chicago’s athletics department and serves as the sport administrator for all of its athletics programs including assisting with the administration of the men’s basketball team. Prior to his time at Loyola Chicago, he spent five years at Bowling Green State University, where he served as associate athletics director for compliance and administration. He also served as St. Bonaventure University’s director of compliance and coordinator of internal operations.
“Bucknell has made an excellent choice in selecting Jermaine Truax to lead Bison Athletics,” said Loyola’s Athletic Director Steve Watson. “His broad experience in college athletics as a student-athlete, coach and administrator has prepared him for this role at what is an outstanding academic and athletic institution. We greatly appreciate all he has done for us here at Loyola Chicago and are thrilled for the Truax family to have this exciting opportunity.”
Truax succeeds John Hardt, who left Bucknell in January after 18 years to become the vice president and director of athletics at the University of Richmond.
A return to Pennsylvania will be a bit of a homecoming for Truax, who played football at Edinboro University, where he earned a degree in health & physical education. He also holds a master of science degree in sport management from Slippery Rock University and is pursuing a doctorate in education from Bowling Green. Joining Jermaine in his move to the Lewisburg area will be his wife, Nimra, and their three children.
