SOUTH BEND (IN) Jack Swarbrick has a succession plan in place. He is the director of athletics at Notre Dame since July 2008.
The university announced that Pete Bevacqua will be joining Notre Dame as chairman of NBC Sports on July 1. He will spend the remainder of the year learning about modern athletic administration, before Swarbrick leaves in early 2024.
Swarbrick is a Notre Dame grad and a long-time power broker in the NCAA’s changing landscape. He turned 69 years old in March. He has led the Irish’s major sports programs through several coaching transitions in recent years, including the hiring of new head coaches for the football program (Marcus Freeman), the men’s and women’s basketball teams (Niele Ivey), and the baseball team (Shawn Stiffler).
Bevacqua, a 1993 Notre Dame grad and briefly a walk on punter for Lou Holtz’s coaching staff, will transition to special assistant for athletics.
Notre Dame’s President Rev. John I. Jenkins stated in a press release that “it will prove invaluable for Pete to join Jack and myself in charting a new future for Notre Dame Athletics, which allows our student athletes to play at the top level, enjoy a complete student experience, and earn a Notre Dame Degree.”
NBC Sports Chairman Pete Bevacqua ’93 has been appointed Special Assistant to President for Athletics.
He will assume the position of University Vice President & James E. Rohr Director of Athletics upon Jack Swarbrick’s ’76 departure in 2024.https://t.co/nQxIPcQ9RQ#GoIrish pic.twitter.com/fimF79pCDD
University of Notre Dame 8 June 2023 HTML0
Bevacqua, 51, will be named the third chairman of NBC Sports in the history of the network in September 2020. He has been a familiar face at Notre Dame for the past five seasons as both the network and university have worked to extend a television agreement that enters its 33rd season in the fall.
Bevacqua is a Georgetown law graduate and has served as NBC Sports President since 2018. She previously worked as the CEO of PGA of America for six years.
Swarbrick stated in a press release that “it speaks volumes about Notre Dame’s leadership and Father Jenkins” to be able to implement a succession plan so well-conceived and attract someone with Pete’s experience and talent.” “I worked closely with Pete during his tenure at NBC. I think he is the right person to guide Notre Dame through the changing landscape of college athletics and to be a national leader in the future.
Bevacqua, a native of Bedford, New York and his wife Tiffany have three kids.
Bevacqua stated in a press release that “this is an incredible honor and a true dream.” The University of Notre Dame means the most to me, other than my family. Jack has been a friend for many years and I look forward to learning from him. He is the person that I most admire and respect in college athletics.
Patricia Bellia of Notre Dame Law School, who is also the faculty representative for athletics and chairperson of Notre Dame’s faculty board, praised this move.
Bellia stated in a press release that “Jack Swarbrick demonstrated an unwavering dedication to academic integrity and excellence, and has been a steadfast and reliable partner for the Notre Dame Faculty in ensuring our student-athletes are able to succeed both in the classroom as well as on the field.” “Pete Bevacqua also shares these commitments and we look forward in working with him to create the best environment possible for Notre Dame’s student-athletes.
