After 15 seasons working as athletic director for DePauw University, Page Cotton will step down from his post and embrace a new role as a senior adviser to President Brian Casey. In his new capacity, he will be leading efforts to raise funds for DePauw's athletic teams and facilities.
"The big thing is that this is a great opportunity for me to help track the course for the future of DePauw athletics," Cotton said. "It is really exciting for me to go out and talk to former student athletes about their experience and to get everyone excited about things we might be able to do to improve this athletic program."
Cotton came to DePauw in 1969 as the men's soccer coach. He coached for 39 years until 2007. He achieved a 390-190-33 record and was inducted into the Indiana Soccer Hall of fame for his accomplishments.
"He's really good at keeping things in the proper perspective," said assistant athletic director Mary Bretscher, who has worked with Cotton since 1975. "It's not a win at any cost situation. He's not a pressure athletic director. He wants to help make our jobs easier. He always says that one of the most important things to him is that the student athletes have a good experience."
As athletic director, his teams have won 94 conference championships including 76 in the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference. He led the school through three conference switches, the most recent being the switch from the SCAC to the North Coast Athletic Conference.
"Most of the work to transition to the conference has been done last year," Cotton said. "It just fit with where I'm at in my life, and what I see could be a really exciting opportunity."
Vice President for Student Life Cindy Babington and Vice President for Communications and Strategic Initiatives Christopher Wells will chair the search committee for a new athletic director. The goal for the committee, according to Cotton, is to find a replacement by the end of the semester. Cotton will serve as the athletic director until his successor is found.
"I think this is a really good job," Cotton said. "We have a really good staff, outstanding student athletes, great academic reputation, so I think there will be a lot of applications and a lot of people interested in the position."
While Cotton leaves the athletic director position, his hand in the future of the athletic program will remain. After dedicating much of his life to working with students, he is looking forward to continuing to make a difference in the next chapter of his life.
"What makes me excited to come to work every day is working with students," Cotton said. "Not many people have a job where they're working with 18-20 year olds. It's challenging, exciting and invigorating — all the things that make your job excitable."