AVE MARIA, Fla. — The Ave Maria University Athletic Department is pleased to announce the hiring of John Weisbrod as the new Vice President of Athletics. Weisbrod is a veteran sports executive with over three decades of high-level experience in professional hockey and basketball.

Weisbrod graduated from Harvard University, where he was a standout student-athlete and a key contributor to Harvard's 1989 NCAA Division I National Championship hockey team, the first and only championship in Crimson Hockey history. Following his collegiate playing career, Weisbrod was signed by the San Jose Sharks in 1991. He played one season for their minor league affiliate, the Kansas City Blades before having to retire from hockey due to a career-ending shoulder reconstruction surgery.

His executive career spans such positions as Director of Operations for the Albany River Rats, General Manager of the Orlando Solar Bears, Professional Scout for the Dallas Stars, Director of Pro and Collegiate Scouting for the Boston Bruins, Assistant General Manager and Director of Player Personnel for the Calgary Flames, and most recently, Assistant General Manager and Vice President of Player Personnel for the Vancouver Canucks.   

Throughout his career, Weisbrod has achieved championship success at every professional level—NHL (Stanley Cup, 2011), AHL (Calder Cup, 1995), and IHL (Turner Cup, 2001)—making him one of the few executives to hold titles in all three leagues.

He also served as Chief Operating Officer and General Manager of the Orlando Magic, overseeing all basketball and business operations. During his tenure, he reversed a multi-year financial downturn, managed a $150 million budget, and drafted future NBA All-Stars Dwight Howard and Jameer Nelson, while also serving on the NBA Board of Governors.

The Gyrenes are excited to have Weisbrod with the experience and expertise he brings directing our athletic programs.