Boo Corrigan, director of athletics at the U.S. Military Academy, has been named the next director of athletics at North Carolina State University. Chancellor Randy Woodson made the announcement today in advance of a scheduled 10 a.m. Jan. 31 press conference in Reynolds Coliseum. Thursday’s press conference is open to the public.
Corrigan comes to NC State after eight years as director of athletics at West Point. Under his leadership, Army has not only excelled in competition but also surpassed ambitious fundraising goals, upgraded several facilities, added three varsity sports and created a new brand identity, all while cadet-athletes raised the bar academically. He was named the 2017 Athletic Director of the Year by the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics.
“With Debbie’s retirement as NC State’s athletics director, it was critical that we find a leader that could build on the unprecedented success we have enjoyed during her tenure,” Woodson said. “In Boo we have found a very successful leader who puts student-athletes first, builds strong relationships both internally and externally, and is committed to the development of coaches and staff to achieve at a very high level. I could not be more excited about the future of NC State Athletics.”
At NC State, Corrigan will lead a program that includes 23 teams, revenue of about $86 million and more than 200 full-time employees. He will officially begin the job on May 1.
“I am honored to be selected by Chancellor Woodson to lead NC State Athletics, and my family and I are thrilled to be part of the Wolfpack,” said Corrigan. “NC State is a special institution with a long, proud athletic history and an incredible fan base. I’m excited to work with the university’s outstanding coaches, talented student-athletes and dedicated staff to build on the strong foundation developed over the last several years and look forward to moving NC State to even higher levels in all aspects of the student-athlete experience.”
Corrigan will replace Debbie Yow, who during her nearly nine-year tenure reached the top 25 in the Directors’ Cup, a competitive measure of college athletics programs, finishing 15th overall in 2017-18. Meanwhile, NC State student-athletes exceled in the classroom under her leadership, posting the four highest Graduation Success Rates in school history over the last four years, including a program-best mark of 86 percent in the most recent metrics. She also renegotiated apparel contracts, hired 17 coaches and upgraded numerous campus athletic facilities.
“Although I don’t know Boo personally, his achievements speak for themselves and I have great respect for his body of work,” Yow said. “His family has significant ties to the ACC, and Chancellor Woodson has made an outstanding choice for the future of NC State Athletics.”
Corrigan has presided over one of the most successful eras in Army’s history, setting milestones and records in competition and in the classroom.
Corrigan has overseen a program that owns 20 Patriot League regular season or tournament championships and that sent 14 teams to the NCAA postseason. A total of 80 cadets have earned a major award from their conference.
Meanwhile, Army has boasted 16 Academic All-Americans, including eight first-team selections. Since the start of the 2011-12 season, Army had nine Patriot League Scholar-Athletes of the Year.
Corrigan has also overseen an unprecedented increase in athletic fundraising during his time at West Point. Through his guidance the Army A Club experienced a 30 percent increase in membership while increasing the total money raised annually by 200 percent from $2.5 million to approximately $7.5 million. Corrigan also led significant growth of the Athletic Department’s endowments establishing 16 new funds, more than doubling the number of endowments, and growing the department’s total endowment funds by more than $18 million in his tenure. In addition, Corrigan raised more than $35 million in support of new and renovated facilities.
Throughout his career, Corrigan has placed a consistent emphasis on student-athlete wellness, prioritizing mental health and social-media training.
Corrigan is no stranger to the Atlantic Coast Conference. Before joining Army, Corrigan worked for three years in the athletic department at Duke, serving as senior associate athletic director for external affairs. He also served as assistant director of marketing at Florida State University from 1992 to 1996.
Corrigan also served five years as associate athletic director for marketing at the University of Notre Dame and three years as associate athletic director for marketing at the U.S. Naval Academy.
Corrigan spent much of his youth in Charlottesville while his father, Gene, served as Virginia’s athletic director from 1971-81. Gene Corrigan was later athletics director at Notre Dame and commissioner of the ACC.
Corrigan is married to the former Kristen Aceto, a field hockey and lacrosse player at the University of Virginia, who also earned a master’s degree from the school. The couple have three children, Finley (17), Tre (15) and Brian (14).
Corrigan received his bachelor’s degree in economics from the University of Notre Dame in 1990 and earned a master’s degree in education from Virginia Commonwealth University in 2013.
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Additional Supporting Statements
Boo Corrigan is the best athletic director in the country. He is a tremendous team player, understands what it takes to win, and what it takes to win honorably. He creates a culture of excellence in everything he does. He is respectful, cordial, and a tremendous friend. He will be greatly missed at West Point, but I could not be more excited for him and his family. This is certainly a great move for the Corrigan family and a great gain for NC State.
Lieutenant General Robert Caslen
Retired Superintendent
United States Military Academy
“Simply a wonderful and well deserved opportunity for Boo to join the highly respected Wolfpack family. He will be an inspirational leader by example as he brings a highly competitive mindset and an impeccable fiber of integrity to every endeavor on every front. His fingerprints are all over the recent success enjoyed by Army and most impressive is the manner in which they have earned their highly respected national stature in all intercollegiate circles. Vision, hard work, strategic thinking, a convincing game plan, and the typical Boo Corrigan personal touch is a formula that is tough to beat. I am so very happy for all the Corrigan’s and especially proud of my great friend.”
Chet Gladchuk
Director of Athletics
- S. Naval Academy
Boo Corrigan is a proven leader and has guided Army West Point Athletics to unprecedented success both on and off our fields of friendly strife. He and his family leave a lasting legacy of their tremendous support of the Cadet-athletes here at West Point and made the wellness and success of our young people their top priority. Boo has driven our athletic department’s mission of providing an extraordinary Division I experience for our Cadet-athletes while developing leaders of character committed to the values of Duty, Honor, Country. I am grateful for the opportunity Boo gave me to lead this historic football program and we wish the Corrigan’s great success and happiness at North Carolina State.
Jeff Monken
Head Football Coach
Army West Point
“Boo Corrigan clearly represents a grand slam hire as the athletics leader at North Carolina State University.
To that end, Boo’s fantastic career to date enjoys a discernible track record of remarkable success. Moreover, Boo has highly seasoned analytical and marketing expertise, the courage to make tough decisions, notwithstanding the work ethic to do the heavy lifting, as well as the innate relationship skills to connect with all constituencies, both internal and external to the university.
However, with all of that said, Boo’s most significant asset is his utter devotion to the welfare of the student-athlete, both academically and athletically, and his supreme commitment to fully engage directly with coaches and staff.
Once again, Boo Corrigan is indeed just a brilliant hire!”
Kevin White, Ph.D.
Vice President, Director of Athletics & Adjunct Professor of Business Administration
Duke Universiy
This is not a surprise to us. Boo is one of the best athletic directors in the business. He is a leader of character who knows how to build teams and win honorably. He has championed Army Athletics here at West Point and without a doubt will do the same for North Carolina State.
Lt. Gen. Darryl A. Williams,
Superintendent
Army West Point
