Don Amiot, who helped Minnesota State-Mankato transition from Division III to Division I as athletics director, is retiring, the school announced Wednesday.
Amiot, in his 14th year at Mankato, was instrumental in securing the Mavericks’ admission into the WCHA in 1999 and in the change in NCAA divisions that preceded that move.
“After 38 years in education and intercollegiate athletics, I have decided to change directions and retire from the profession that has allowed me to go to work each day with a great deal of excitement and enthusiasm,” Amiot said in a statement.
Amiot, 61, spent 10 years as the school’s director of men’s athletics. His title was changed to director of athletics in 1998.
His retirement is effective June 30, and Minnesota State-Mankato Interim President Karen Boubel said a national search for a successor would begin immediately.
“Take a look around and one can see the positive impact Don Amiot has had on MSU athletics during the past 14 years,” Boubel said. “During his tenure we’ve had our men’s hockey program move to Division I and, along with our women’s hockey program, join the Western Collegiate Hockey Association.
“Many of our teams practice and compete in new facilities. We’ve undergone a restructuring of our men’s and women’s athletic departments that has seen us successfully merge into a more efficient and comprehensive model. Don has been involved and contributed greatly during this tremendous period of change.”
Amiot, a native of Crookston, Minn., is a member of the NCAA’s national championship committee and a former member of the Division II hockey championship committee.
