Minnesota AD Maturi to retire

MINNEAPOLIS, Feb. 2 (UPI) -- Joel Maturi, who has been athletic director at the University of Minnesota since July 2002, is retiring from the position this summer.

Maturi led the merger of the men's and women's athletics programs at Minnesota and was seen as instrumental in fundraising efforts for the TCF Bank Stadium, where Golden Gophers football team plays.

"It has been a wonderful journey for me here at Minnesota," Maturi said Thursday. "To cheer for thousands of student athletes and watch them mature and graduate has made these 10 years fly by.

"I look forward to my next adventure both at the University of Minnesota and beyond."

He is expected to remain part of the university administration, assisting with course development and special projects for the university president, the school said.

In the 10 years Maturi has been the athletic director, Minnesota student-athletes have won more than 40 Big Ten or WCHA championships. The men's and women's hockey teams and the wrestling team won national championships during his tenure.