Omaha Athletic Director Adrian Dowell Signs Extension

University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) Vice Chancellor / Director of Athletics Adrian Dowell, who has led the Mavericks since 2021, has signed a contract extension through November 2028, UNO Chancellor Joanne Li, Ph.D., CFA announced today.

“Adrian Dowell’s leadership and commitment to the lifelong success of our student-athletes and enhancing fan experiences have been instrumental in strengthening Omaha Athletics,” Chancellor Li said. “This extension reflects our confidence in his vision and his dedication to ensuring UNO remains a cornerstone of pride and excellence for the Omaha community.”

Since taking the helm of Omaha Athletics, the Mavericks have experienced unprecedented comprehensive success. UNO has made 6 NCAA tournament appearances, captured 6 conference titles and advanced to 12 conference championship games in volleyball, men’s soccer, women’s soccer, hockey, women’s basketball, baseball, and softball. Maverick student-athletes have excelled under Dowell’s leadership, achieving a 3.4+ cumulative GPA for 11 consecutive semesters, a 93% Graduation Success Rate, and a 993 NCAA Academic Progress Rate.

“I am grateful for the unwavering support of Dr. Li,’ Dowell said. “It has been the honor of a lifetime supporting Maverick student-athletes and coaches. We have made tremendous progress over the past few years and the reality is that our recent successes would not be possible without the dedication of talented administrators, impactful campus partnerships and transformative support from the UNO fanbase and Omaha community. Even as we navigate the ever-evolving collegiate athletics landscape, I remain excited that UNO’s brightest days are still ahead.”

Additional highlights from Dowell’s tenure include:

• Revenue Growth and Efficiencies: Following personnel and organizational restructures in 2022, Omaha Athletics has evolved to a $25 million operation while achieving a 60% increase in self-generated revenues through impactful contracts, record-breaking philanthropy, corporate partnerships, licensing, ticket sales, and event attendance since 2021.

• Holistic Student-Athlete Support: Omaha Athletics has developed into an industry leader in innovative holistic support of student-athletes. Major investments in this area include a comprehensive medical partnership with OrthoNebraska, an Athletic Training PhD Sports Science Fellowship, mental health and nutrition support for all 16 programs and a nutritional training table program for all female student-athletes.

• Innovation in NIL and Education: Omaha Athletics continues to be on the cutting edge in Name, Image and Likeness support for student-athletes. During his tenure, Athletics has developed the Mavericks NIL Marketplace through Opendorse, developed a robust partnership with the Omaha Bull Market Collective and launched Mav360, a digital micro-credential program fulfilling the NCAA Holistic Student-Athlete Model which has since been launched nationally through a partnership with UNO’s Division of Innovative and Learning-Centric Initiatives of Innovative and Opendorse.

• Community Engagement and Event Hosting: Under Dowell’s leadership, the department donates over 2,500 hours in community service annually, while Baxter Arena, Maverick Park and Canglia Field host over 200 events each year, including graduations, concerts, high school state championships, professional sporting events in addition to Omaha Athletics events. Baxter Arena was named the Omaha World Herald’s Choice Award Winner for Best Arena & Indoor Sports Complex.

• Facility Enhancements: Facilities have progress under his leadership including the 2023 renovation of Caniglia Field, construction of the Baxter Arena Extension Facility, expanded hospitality areas at Baxter Arena, and the completion of a mental health and sports nutrition wing at Sapp Fieldhouse in 2024.

Dowell is also active in service in the community and higher education. He currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Methodist Health System, the Division I-AAA Athletic Directors Association Executive Committee and was recently added to the College World Series Omaha Board of Directors.