Athletic Director gets $40,000 Yearly Raise in New Contract

Recent successes on the athletic field for Kent State University translated into a contract extension and boost in salary for the university’s athletics director.

University officials recently announced they had agreed to a contract extension with Kent State Athletics Director Joel Nielsen that will keep him at the helm of the sports programs into 2017.

The new contract will see Nielsen’s base salary increase by $40,000 three years in a row from 2013 to 2016. The yearly contract runs from July 1 to June 30.

According to the contract, the athletics director’s base salary and scheduled raises are as follows:

• $308,000 in 2013-2014  
• $348,000 in 2014-2015 (12.9 percent increase)
• $388,000 in 2015-2016 (11.5 percent increase)
• $428,000 in 2016-2017 (10.3 percent increase)

Nielsen said he is happy to remain a part of the Kent community thanks to the contract extension, according to a press release from the athletics department.

“I am very proud of what the coaches and student athletes have accomplished over the last three and a half years, and I look forward to continuing the Kent State tradition of academic and athletic excellence throughout our program,” he said.

Under the supervision of Nielse, who was hired in 2010, Kent State sports teams have accomplished nearly unprecedented successes.

In 2012, the men’s baseball team earned the school’s first-ever College World Series appearance. 2013 saw Kent’s first college football bowl appearance in 40 years.

Kent women’s gymnastics landed its first NCAA championship appearance in 2011. And 2011 also saw Kent’s first NCAA wrestling champion.

In addition, Kent State athletes have performed well in the classroom.