Christian Spears

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Christian Spears
Biographical details
Born San Marino, California, U.S.
Alma mater University of Washington (BS)
Long Beach State University (MPA)
Ohio State University (JD)
Administrative career (AD unless noted)
2003–2009 Southern Illinois (assistant AD)
2009–2014 Northern Illinois (associate AD)
2013Northern Illinois (acting AD)
2014–2017 Eastern Michigan (deputy AD)
2017Eastern Michigan (interim AD)
2017–2022 Pittsburgh (deputy AD)
2022–2025 Marshall

Christian Spears is an American athletic director, most recently at Marshall University. He served as the athletic director at Marshall from February 2022 - August 2025.

Contents

Career

Spears began working as the associate director of athletics at Northern Illinois University in 2009 after spending the previous six years as the assistant athletic director at Southern Illinois University. [1] In 2013, Spears was named acting athletic director at NIU after Jeff Compher left to become the athletic director at East Carolina University. [2]

In 2014, Spears was hired as deputy AD at Eastern Michigan University. In 2017, he was named interim AD after Heather Lyke left to become the AD at the University of Pittsburgh. [3] Shortly after becoming interim AD, Spears followed Lyke to Pitt as the deputy athletic director. [4]

In February 2022, Spears was named athletic director at Marshall University replacing interim AD, Jeff O'Malley. [5] [6] As athletic director of Marshall, he oversaw the completion of the fundraising to build a new baseball stadium for the Thundering Herd baseball team. [7]

On April 28, 2025 it was announced that Marshall and Spears mutually agreed he will not remain the university's AD after his contract expires in March 2026. [8] It was announced on July 28, 2025 that Austin Peay’s athletic director Gerald Harrison would serve as the newly appointed AD at Marshall, replacing Spears. [9]

References

  1. ↑ Nitz, Steve (April 1, 2009). "Christian Spears' division I responsibilities increase". Northern Star . Retrieved June 1, 2022.
  2. ↑ Mitchell, Fred (April 4, 2013). "NIU names Spears acting AD". Chicago Tribune . Retrieved June 1, 2022.
  3. ↑ "Christian Spears named Eastern Michigan interim athletic director". Detroit Free Press . March 27, 2017. Retrieved June 1, 2022.
  4. ↑ Paul, Tony (May 12, 2017). "EMU interim AD Christian Spears leaving for Pittsburgh". The Detroit News . Retrieved June 1, 2022.
  5. ↑ Brocato, Joe (February 25, 2022). "Christian Spears introduced as Marshall's new Director of Athletics". WV Metro News. Retrieved June 1, 2022.
  6. ↑ Zimmer, Justin (March 1, 2022). "New AD Christian Spears Sets Priorities". The Parthenon . Retrieved June 1, 2022.
  7. ↑ Creasy, Luke (September 29, 2022). "Gift from state completes fundraising for Marshall baseball stadium". The Herald-Dispatch . Retrieved September 29, 2022.
  8. ↑ Thamel, Pete (April 28, 2025). "Marshall won't renew contract of AD Christian Spears". ESPN. Retrieved June 8, 2025.
  9. ↑ Carey, Greg (July 28, 2025). "Gerald Harrison approved as 23rd Director of Athletics at Marshall". WV MetroNews. Retrieved August 3, 2025.
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