Ball State AD leaving for Marquette University

Bill Scholl is leaving as athletic director at Ball State University to take the same position at Marquette University in Milwaukee, the schools announced Tuesday.

Scholl joined Ball State in April 2012 after he spent 23 years in athletics administration at the University of Notre Dame, including the last three as deputy athletic director.

The 57-year-old Scholl accomplished much in a short time for the Cardinals, hiring seven head coaches, including four who have already led their teams to first- or second-place finishes in the Mid-American Conference. Eight sports programs reached the postseason during Scholl's tenure, including the football team, which has played in back-to-back bowl games.

Ball State said it would launch a nationwide search for a new director.

“I regret to see Bill and [his wife] Julie leave Ball State so early in our time together, but I understand his motivation to seek the Marquette experience,” BSU President Paul Ferguson said in a written statement. “In my brief time here, the significant impact that Bill had on the athletics department, the university and the community was clearly demonstrated. I will personally miss his integrity and commitment to excellence."

Scholl, a 1979 Notre Dame graduate, will start at Marquette in mid-October. The university has been without a permanent athletic director since Larry Williams left in December after holding the job for less than two years. Marquette's men's basketball coach Buzz Williams left for Virginia Tech four months later.

Williams was replaced on an interim bases by Bill Cords, who was the athletic director at Marquette for 20 years before retiring in 2006.