Peter Casey, a key presence with UMass Lowell sports for more than two decades, will not return as Athletic Director, effective this summer.

The decision was announced to staff this past Wednesday February 28 and posted on the UML Athletics website, though no formal press announcement was made and no reason was provided for the impending departure.

Neither Casey nor Chancellor Julie Chen responded to requests for comment.

Casey, a key player in the school’s transition from Division II to Division 1 sports, has been with the University since 2002 and ascended to the helm of the Athletics Department in September of 2018, replacing longtime A.D. Dana Skinner upon his retirement.

“Peter’s accomplishments during his many years at UML are vast and are greatly appreciated by our entire community, most especially by the UML student-athletes who left it all on the ice, fields and courts as proud River Hawks,” Chen wrote in her message. “My acknowledgment and appreciation for Peter’s contributions are deeply felt during this moment of change,” she went on to write.

Casey’s tenure will conclude at the end of summer 2024 and the university will begin the search process for a new leader of the institution’s Division I athletics program “soon” according to Chen.

During two decades at UMass Lowell, Casey served as Assistant Athletics Director, Director of Athletics Business Enterprises, Executive Director of Venue and Event Enterprises, and Deputy Athletic Director. He was a key part of the University’s efforts to revitalize the Tsongas Center upon  signing an agreement to purchase the facility from the City of Lowell in 2009.

Along with his key role in the transition from Division II to Division I, Casey oversaw more than $40 million in renovations across multiple athletic facilities, including improvements to the Costello Athletic Center along with the Tsongas Center, and provided significant leadership navigating the recruitment of outstanding student-athletes, coaches and staff.

“Peter has been a steady presence at many in-season games and championship events,” Chen’s statement added. “He also modeled for UML athletics staff and student-athletes a commitment to the broader Lowell community, with participation in fundraising, food distributions and notable acts of outreach and service too numerous to count.”

(passages from goriverhawks.com were also used in compiling this report)