Dave Marsh Moves To Academic Role At Northwood - Jeff Curtis Named New Athletic Director
MIDLAND, MICH. – Longtime Northwood University Athletic Director, Dave Marsh, is stepping down to become assistant professor and department chair of the school's Sport Management academic program, with Jeff Curtis moving from head coach of women's basketball to become Athletic Director. Both moves are effective August 15 with a new women's basketball coach to be announced soon.
"We are very blessed at Northwood University to have leaders like Dave and Jeff on our staff," said Northwood University President Dr. Kent MacDonald. "Dave's passion for Northwood athletics has been a great asset for our University and I know he will carry that passion over to our Sport Management program. Jeff has been a tremendous ambassador for Northwood through his outstanding work leading our women's basketball program. He is respected by our staff and is the perfect choice to lead our athletic department."
Marsh is in his 23rd year at Northwood and eighth as athletic director. He started at Northwood as Sports Information Director/Marketing Director in 1998 and also served as Associate Athletic Director before being promoted in 2013. During that time, Marsh has overseen compliance, facilities, budgeting and marketing in addition to various other duties within the athletic department.
Since becoming Athletic Director, Marsh has led the department to new standards of excellence. In 2017-18 he was named an Under Armour Division II Athletic Director of the Year by the National Associate of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA). In 2019 he was selected to serve on the NCAA DII Management Council. He managed building projects to enhance the Bennett Center, including full renovation of Riepma Arena in 2015 with new offices for several programs, new golf practice facilities, and new locker rooms for volleyball, men's and women's basketball, football, softball, baseball, and men's and women's track. Additionally, significant improvements were made to Northwood's soccer, baseball and softball venues, including new scoreboards for each. In the past three years a new turf field and video board have been added to upgrade Hantz Stadium. During the 2020-21 athletic season, the Timberwolves sent six teams to the NCAA Championships. Northwood student-athletes also currently maintain a GPA above 3.2.
"Serving as the Northwood athletic director has been an honor that I am extremely grateful for and proud of," said Marsh. "Having been in college athletics for 33 years, this is an emotional decision for me. I believe God is calling me to the new challenge of teaching and making a difference in the lives of students in a different way. I am very excited to advance our mission and philosophy in the classroom and through enhancing experiential learning opportunities for our Sport Management and Esport Management students.
"I am also excited for Jeff and know he will do an outstanding job. I am confident he will bring Northwood athletics to new heights. We have an amazing staff in the athletic department that I will continue to be proud to call my colleagues. In my new role I hope to create a strong connection between the Sport Management program and the Athletic Department."
Curtis has been at Northwood since 2000, when he started a four-year stint as an assistant coach with the men's basketball program. He turned around a struggling women's basketball program to reach unprecedented heights in his time as head coach. In the summer of 2017, he earned the title of Assistant Athletic Director for Alumni Relations.
In his 17 years as head coach, Curtis led Northwood to a 233-227 overall record (.507). In his final 14 years as head coach, the team went 156-131 (.544) in GLIAC play. His 233 victories are 152 more than any other coach in NU women's basketball history. Curtis led Northwood to the GLIAC Tournament 11 times in the last 14 years. The team had never reached the tournament prior to his arrival as head coach. Northwood also made the first two trips to the NCAA Tournament (2009, 2021) under Curtis.
"I would like to thank President MacDonald and all of the administration for allowing me the privilege of becoming athletic director for a University that means so much to my family and me," said Curtis. "I would also like to thank my current and former players for making coaching at Northwood a life-changing experience. It took an incredible opportunity for me to step away from coaching, which this is. I am eager to get started."