A bold new era for Panther athletics
A bold new era for Panther athletics
Megan Franklin begins her tenure as UNI’s Director of Athletics
In the press conference announcing her hire as UNI’s athletic director, Megan Franklin unveiled a bold vision she titled the “Legacy Era” of Panther Athletics.
This new era will be defined by athletic excellence, academic achievement and stronger community ties — building brighter tomorrows not just for our student-athletes, but for the entire Panther family.
UNI President Mark Nook recalled interviewing Franklin for the role. She immediately stood out, not only because of her answers to questions but, more important to Nook, the questions she asked.
“Her questions were probing,” said Nook. “They were deep, and it showed a deep commitment to our students, to the athletics program, to the university, and to the community in which we live and grow and build. She understands that synergistic relationship between UNI, Waterloo, Cedar Falls, the rest of the Cedar Valley, and her questions really opened that up. I found a leader that had a great deal of integrity in the way that she approached the problems that she was asked to solve.”
Franklin came to UNI after serving for 12 years as the senior associate athletic director for strategic initiatives and external relations at Drake University. Prior to her time at Drake, she spent nine years at Virginia Tech, holding various roles within the administration. Franklin started her career at the University of Nebraska as a student, where she earned her bachelor’s degree in community health education and later received a master’s degree in educational administration specializing in student affairs. She holds a PhD in educational leadership and policy studies from Virginia Tech.
Megan Franklin is the right person at the right time to serve as the director of athletics at the University of Northern Iowa. I firmly believe that she is well equipped to embrace the challenges and opportunities that come along with this role.
Franklin came to UNI after serving for 12 years as the senior associate athletic director for strategic initiatives and external relations at Drake University. Prior to her time at Drake, she spent nine years at Virginia Tech, holding various roles within the administration. Franklin started her career at the University of Nebraska as a student, where she earned her bachelor’s degree in community health education and later received a master’s degree in educational administration specializing in student affairs. She holds a PhD in educational leadership and policy studies from Virginia Tech.
Franklin sees this is an exciting time for Panther Athletics. “There is nowhere else in the country with this cohort of coaches — they are winners! The facility projects underway directly impact our ability to support student-athletes in honing their skills and attracting prospective student-athletes to attend UNI and pursue championships.
“Sports are meant to be where we play together and are the one place we come together to shout from the rafters, ‘UNI Fight!’”
