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Bowling Green State University Athletics
Staff Directory
- Title:
- Vice President for Athletics Strategy and Director of Athletics (Sport Administrator, Ice Hockey, Volleyball)
- Email:
With a background as a student-athlete, university administrator, and athletics administrator, Derek van der Merwe brings a forward-thinking, purpose-driven approach to leading Bowling Green State University Athletics. His focus remains on building a community-rooted department and cultivating a championship culture across all Falcon programs.
Since becoming Director of Athletics, van der Merwe has guided BGSU through a period of remarkable momentum. His leadership has sparked record-setting growth in fundraising, student engagement, academic achievement and fan enthusiasm. In Spring 2025, BGSU student-athletes posted a 3.505 GPA—the highest ever in a non-COVID term—and a record 363 student-athletes earned a 3.0 or better. The department’s 91 percent graduation success rate remains among the best in the nation. He has also been a strong advocate for BGSU’s Life Design program, empowering student-athletes to plan meaningful careers beyond sports. In fall of 2025, BGSU was recognized, for the fifth time in program history, as the winner of the Mid-American Conference Institutional Academic Achievement Award. The award is presented annually to the MAC institution which achieves the highest overall GPA for student-athlete.
Fundraising has surged under van der Merwe, with a 53 percent increase in Falcon Club and Enhancement Fund giving over the past four years. A landmark $2 million gift from Mike and Jan Wilcox endowed the BGSU head football coaching position—the first such investment in Mid-American Conference history. Additionally, $2.3 million was raised to upgrade Steller Field with synthetic turf and perimeter fencing, enhancing year-round training for the baseball program. The $1 million Green, Remeis and Green Mezzanine project at Slater Family Ice Arena—funded through gifts from the Green and Remeis families—created a premium seating and hospitality area featuring luxury suites, club seats, concessions, and premium rail seating, elevating the fan experience. In 2025, a $1.5 million gift supported the development of a dedicated band and club sports field, further enriching the campus experience for students and the community.
His ability to inspire both campus and community was evident in the historic response to the hiring of head football coach Eddie George, which generated over four billion social media impressions within days of the 1995 Heisman Trophy winner and NFL great’s name being announced. This moment highlighted a broader resurgence in fan enthusiasm, led in part by the revival of Falcon Fanatics, BGSU’s student-driven support group. His department has also achieved competitive success, including BGSU Women’s Track & Field sweeping the 2025 MAC Indoor and Outdoor Championships for the first time in program history, and Volleyball reaching the NIVC Championship match for only the second time ever—completing the first reverse sweep in MAC postseason history along the way.
Recruiting has also thrived across BGSU’s programs, with Falcon Hockey owning the No. 1 class in the country according to Neutral Zone Scouting as of June 2025. The 2024–25 academic year featured four All-Americans: football’s Harold Fannin Jr., volleyball’s Lauryn Hovey, and men’s soccer’s Kyle Cusimano and Trace Terry.
Van der Merwe continues to reshape the department through key hires, appointing head coaches across nine programs: football (George) men’s basketball (Todd Simon), women’s basketball (Fred Chmiel), ice hockey (Dennis Williams), women’s soccer (Chris Fox), gymnastics (Brittney Emmons), softball (Michelle Gardner), swim and dive (Tanner Barton), and volleyball (Alex DelPiombo).
Beyond athletics, van der Merwe’s collaborative spirit and university-wide lens have strengthened alignment between academics, student life, and athletics. He remains focused on culture, community, and creating opportunities for shared success.
“The greatest stories are about community,” van der Merwe says. “The greatest stories are about what you achieve as a community—not what I do, but what we can do.”
His visionary leadership continues to elevate BGSU Athletics on and off the field, while preparing student-athletes for success well beyond their time in the orange and brown.
Named BGSU’s 15th director of athletics on Oct. 25, 2022, van der Merwe was given an expanded portfolio as vice president for athletics strategy and director of athletics, with a contract extension through June 2030, approved by the BGSU Board of Trustees in February 2025. He came to BGSU from the University of Arizona, where he had served as the associate vice president and chief operations officer for the Wildcat athletics department since 2018.
Including his time at BGSU, van der Merwe has worked in higher education for nearly 30 years, serving in leadership roles in both athletics and university-wide positions. He has held leadership positions in the Pac-12 Conference, the Ohio Valley Conference and the Mid-American Conference.
Prior to his role at the University of Arizona, van der Merwe was the vice president of advancement, communication and strategic initiatives at Austin Peay State University in Tennessee, where he also previously served as director of intercollegiate athletics. He started his career as an academic advisor at Central Michigan University and worked his way up to chief operating officer and deputy athletics director.
With broad professional experience, van der Merwe has led numerous strategic planning initiatives within athletics departments and across universities that have focused on developing strong planning vehicles for program success. In 2019, he led the creation of the University of Arizona Athletics’ first-ever comprehensive strategic plan, “The Wildcat Way,” which supports the department’s mission of the holistic development of student-athletes.
Born and raised in South Africa to missionary parents, van der Merwe attended Central Michigan University, where he was a student-athlete and earned Academic All-MAC honors as a co-captain of CMU football in 1995. He earned a bachelor’s degree and master’s degree from CMU.
Van der Merwe is passionate about health, fitness, reading and his family. He is married to Stephanie Paris, a former collegiate softball player and coach, and has four children: Emily, Lauren, Ian, and Patton.
“I could not be more proud of Derek’s accomplishments at Arizona. He has been an impact player during some very challenging times for all athletic programs. His efforts and leadership have put us in a strong position for the future and while we hate to lose him, Bowling Green is getting a true champion to lead their athletics department.” - Dr. Robert Robbins, former President, The University of Arizona
“Derek van der Merwe is an exceptional leader with broad experience in Division I collegiate athletics. He was a significant contributor when we worked together at Austin Peay. He invested in authentic relationships with university community members and fans that built support for the athletics program, all while staying focused on the student-athlete experience. I’m happy for Derek and for Bowling Green; it’s a great match.” - Alisa White, President, Sam Houston State University and Former President at Austin Peay State University
"Derek brings significant experience as an intercollegiate athletics and higher education administrator. I look forward to working with him and welcoming Derek to the Council of Directors of Athletics. He has a strategic focus and will be a passionate leader of the Bowling Green athletics program." - Jon A. Steinbrecher, Commissioner Mid-American Conference
“Congratulations to Bowling Green State University on the hire of Derek van der Merwe as its new director of athletics! Derek is an exceptional administrator as well as an incredibly talented leader who always centers on the very best for student-athletes. While at Arizona, Derek was instrumental in the overall operations of the athletics department, which has resulted in unprecedented levels of sustained success. Coaches, administrators, supporters, student-athletes, community members and all associated with BGSU will love his enthusiasm, passion and vision. This is an absolute 'home run' hire!” - Dave Heeke, former Vice President/Director of Athletics, University of Arizona
“Bowling Green has made an outstanding decision in announcing Derek van der Merwe as their next athletic director. Derek is an innovative leader who works tirelessly to enhance everything about the student-athlete experience: academic success, athletics excellence and personal development. He is also a great teammate who will work alongside other campus leaders to advance Bowling Green State University.” - Marcus Blossom, Athletics Director, Creighton University
“Derek is a great guy and it was a great experience working with him the past year. He’s well-rounded in all facets of running an NCAA Athletic Department and is definitely a get-stuff done guy!! Bowling Green is getting a great person and leader who is well-equipped to lead them in the ever-evolving world of college athletics.” - Tommy Lloyd, Arizona Men’s Basketball
“For the past 22 months, I had the privilege to work side by side with Derek. As a first-time head coach, I relied heavily on his guidance, experience, knowledge and overall expertise in all things college athletics. He was an incredible partner, as we worked tirelessly to rebuild Arizona Football. While I am saddened to see Derek go, Bowling Green is about to get a superstar in this profession. Derek epitomizes a great leader, and I can’t wait to see what he does leading the athletics department at Bowling Green State University.” - Jedd Fisch, former Head Football Coach, University of Arizona (currently Washington)
“Bowling Green State University has made an incredible hire in Derek van der Merwe. I have had the pleasure of working closely with him over the last four-and-a-half years and saw what a positive impact he made on Arizona Women’s Basketball, the University of Arizona and Arizona athletics. He is a dynamic leader with a clear vision. Derek has high standards and expectations, and he isn’t afraid to manage through the changes of college athletics. He will lead the Falcons with distinction and purpose. Congratulations to both Bowling Green State University and Derek van der Merwe as they begin this journey together.”- Adia Barnes, former Head Coach, Arizona Women’s Basketball (currently SMU)
“Bowling Green has made an outstanding hire with Derek van der Merwe. Derek has a very complete skill set to lead any athletics department in the country. He supports coaches and programs at the level they need to reach their maximum potential, and his leadership and communication ability will be a huge asset for Bowling Green for years to come.” - Jay Johnson, Head Baseball Coach, Louisiana State University
“Derek has had a steady influence in our department through some very tough times with COVID-19 and the current state of athletics. I cannot think of a better person to lead your department into the future. Derek is a strong leader with great communication skills, compassion for the student-athlete and a tireless worker. He has made a positive impact in our program and I am convinced you have made a great choice to lead your program well into the future. He has a great understanding of all aspects of college athletics and will lead with passion and integrity.” - Mike Candrea, Special Advisor to the Athletic Director, Former Head Softball Coach, The University of Arizona
