University of Dayton Athletics

TED KISSELL - Administrator - 1992-2008

When Ted Kissell came to the University of Dayton in 1992, he took over the leadership of an athletics division at a crossroads. While renowned for graduation rates and the academic success of its student-athletes, competitive success was a sometime thing. Aside from the football program, championship-level play was hard to come by, and the two flagship programs – men’s and women’s basketball – were coming off losing seasons.

Fast forward to 2008, when Kissell retired as UD’s Vice-President and Director of Athletics. In the 10 years from when Kissell established a new path for Flyer sports programs until his retirement, the University enjoyed an unprecedented decade of success. 

Flyer athletics won more championships and made more post-season appearances than any other 10-year period in school history, continued high graduation rates and academic honors for its student-athletes, underwent the beginning of impressive facility improvement and expansion projects, and had its coaches win more honors at the conference regional and national levels than ever before.

From 1998-2008, UD won 26 conference championships and had 20 teams reach post-season play. In the nine years before that, the Flyers had seven conference championships and one tournament appearance. Before Kissell came to UD, only four Flyer coaches had been named conference coaches of the year. During his tenure on campus, Dayton had 22.

While Kissell’s main duties for the University of Dayton were as Director of Athletics, he was named a University Vice-President in 1997. In that capacity he served on the President’s Cabinet and the President’s Council until his retirement. 

Kissell and his wife Deanna continue to live in Dayton.