Dr. Michael Vienna, Assistant Vice-President/Clyde Partin Sr., Director of Athletics at Emory University, since 2015, has announced his retirement effective August 1, 2020.
During his five-year tenure, Vienna oversaw and played a direct role in numerous accomplishments that had a positive and profound impact on the fortunes of the Eagles’ department, with Emory teams winning nine national titles and 30 University Athletic Association Championships. In his first four years, the program placed among the top 10 in the Learfield IMG College Director’s Cup standings, symbolic of overall athletic success, including a fourth-place effort during the 2017-18 season (no Director’s Cup Standings for 2019-20 due to COVID-19 pandemic).
Under his guidance, Emory Athletics embarked on a number of positive initiatives that included the addition of women’s golf as the school’s 19th intercollegiate sport, new partnerships, a comprehensive five-year strategic plan, additional staffing, reimagining the Eagle Edge program and facility enhancements such as new soccer field, the installation of a new scoreboard in the Madeline Jude Brown Natatorium, a renovated softball facility that includes a press box, permanent seating and a new locker room, and a new baseball team facility.
“I am so thankful to have been on this journey at Emory for the past five years with so many talented colleagues,” Vienna stated. “Being a partner in our efforts to provide the best-possible educational experiences and services for our outstanding student-athletes has been an honor and a privilege. The passion, energy and commitment to excellence has been an inspiration.”
In addition to the athletic success of the department, Emory student-athletes shined in the classroom as well, earning a total of 20 NCAA Postgraduate Scholarships and 31 CoSIDA Academic All-American berths. Vienna has been active on the NCAA front, serving on the NCAA Division III Management Council, the Strategic Planning and Finance Committee, the Legislative Relief Subcommittee, the Playing and Practice Season Subcommittee, and as a mentor in the NCAA Pathway Program.
Vienna came to Emory from Salisbury University where he had been an athletics administrator for 26 years which included 23 years as the Director of Athletics and Recreation. During Vienna’s stint at Salisbury, Sea Gull teams garnered 17 team and 14 individual national championships, 14 national second-place finishes and 179 conference championships. All totaled, he has worked 40 years in the athletics realm.
“It is difficult for me to put into words the appreciation for all of those I have worked with and the impact they have had on me, both professionally and personally,” Vienna said. “I will always hold close to me the meaningful and long-lasting relationships that I had the good fortune to develop over the past 40 years. Having the opportunity to work day in and day out with valued colleagues is something that really can’t be measured. There have been many changes in college athletics over the years, and certainly more are on the horizon, but with dedicated professionals who are committed to what they do, anything can be accomplished when working together.”
A national search will be conducted to hire Vienna's replacement. After Aug. 1, Enku Gelaye, Vice President and Dean of Campus Life, and David Clark, Associate Vice President/CBO of Campus Life, will co-lead the athletics department in the interim.
Emory Head Men’s Tennis Coach John Browning
“Twenty-eight years ago I was a young man looking to fulfill my dream of being head collegiate tennis coach. It seemed like I applied to 100 different jobs with zero success. I was getting discouraged from all the rejections until the athletic director of Salisbury State University contacted me about interviewing for the tennis position. So, I flew from California to the eastern shore of Maryland for the interview with the hopes of landing the job. My interview performance was horrible and I am sure the athletic director, Doctor Michael Vienna, could sense my nervousness. I went home from the interview and was sure that I did not get the job. A few days later I received a call from Doctor Vienna notifying me that I was hired. Needless to say, it was one of the happiest days of my life. I look back on that day and have so much love and gratitude for Mike because I know he went on a limb to hire a young head coach with limited experience. Doctor Vienna gave me the opportunity to realize my dream and I will forever be grateful.
"Doctor Vienna has been a very important part of my life and someone who I look up to and deeply admire. He has been incredibly successful at Salisbury and Emory, but his legacy will be the effect that he has had on his coaches and student-athletes. It’s an extremely sad day for me and Emory athletics. I was speaking with a colleague today about Mike and he described him as a “salt of the earth” person, which to me, is a wonderful description. He’s a good man and has led his life honesty and integrity and has been a role model for all. Thank you Dr. Vienna for giving me a chance 28 years ago. Thank you for being a mentor, and most importantly, thank you for being a friend. You will be sorely missed.”
University Athletic Association Commissioner Dick Rasmussen
“I’ve had the pleasure of knowing Mike and working with him at various times over the years beginning with his tenure on the NADIIIAA Executive Committee and of course most recently his tenure at Emory University. Mike has made a significant impact on the UAA.
"In particular, his leadership of the UAA Athletic Trainers Committee over the last two years resulted in actions that addressed significant health and safety issues around our conference tennis championships, led to the development of a comprehensive program for the first UAA Sports Medicine Summit, guided the development of a consensus UAA response to compliance with the NCAA Arrington Settlement, and most recently resulted in compiling a consensus framework to responding to the COVID-19 challenges as we prepare for a return to athletic competition within the UAA. Mike has been an expert at bringing together multiple constituencies to make these things happen. We will miss his leadership, good nature, wise counsel, and most of all his friendship.”
Emory Head Men’s Basketball Coach Jason Zimmerman
“Dr. Vienna’s experience in college athletics combined with his professionalism and work ethic continued to push Emory University and Emory Athletics toward excellence. We are grateful for his leadership. He will be missed and we wish him the best in the next stage of his life.”
Emory University Head Women’s Basketball Coach Misha Jackson
“On behalf of our program, I would like to thank Mike for all of his hard work and leadership. In addition, I am extremely appreciative of Mike taking a chance on a young coach! By taking what many would deem a risk, he allowed an alumna to fulfill her dreams. We wish Mike all the best in the future.”
Emory University Senior Director of Athletics/Woman Administrator Joyce Jaleel
“Under Dr. Vienna’s leadership, Emory Athletics has continued to raise the bar of excellence. One of the finest director of athletics, with his exceptional career of leadership and vision, putting student-athletes first by sharing in their academic and athletic pursuits, and for coaches and staff, all of whom he supported to become the best they can be. His dedication to intercollegiate athletics and the care he has for those he works with is outstanding. I am incredibly grateful to have been given the opportunity to work alongside him. He said it often, that in athletics, if you aren’t moving ahead, you are falling behind. That’s what he brought to school every day.” #flyhigher
Salisbury University Director of Athletics and Campus Recreation Dr. Gerry DiBartolo
“Mike is a true professional in the field of athletics and campus recreation. He is a true friend, colleague and a sounding board to me. Always willing to listen and provide his honest feedback, his efforts to improve the experience for student-athletes, staff and fans has been a hallmark of his career. I can say that Mike is one of the finest individuals I have met throughout my career in higher education. He has had an outstanding career and I am so glad I had the opportunity to work with him for a number of years. Good luck Mike in the next phase of your life.”