ANN ARBOR, Mich. – The University of Michigan has announced a five-year contract extension Warden ManuelDonald R. Shepherd, Director of Athletics, will serve until June 30, 2030.

“During Warde’s tenure as director, athletics has created a structure in which our student-athletes compete for Big Ten and national championships, excel in the classroom and proudly graduate from the University of Michigan,” President Santa J. Ono said during that time the Board of Regents meeting on December 5th.

Manuel — who played football under Bo Schembechler, threw javelin in track and eventually earned three degrees from UM — returned to the university in 2016 after a successful tenure as athletic director at the University of Connecticut.

He is the 12th athletic director in UM history and oversees 29 teams, more than 900 student-athletes, an annual budget of $250 million and 400 employees. The department remains financially independent and self-sustaining.

“I would like to express my gratitude to President Ono, Board Chairwoman Kathy White and the members of the Board of Regents who have been very supportive of me and our athletic department,” Manuel said. “I look forward to continuing the success we have achieved” as we navigate this changing landscape of college athletics together.

“Every day I am grateful to work at this great institution and represent Michigan Athletics. I would especially like to thank the student-athletes, coaches and staff who compete for each of our teams and who have helped us achieve unprecedented success athletically and academically.” “I am pleased to join a university that has given me so much throughout my career has to continue to give back.”

Under his leadership, the university has won 52 Big Ten championships in all sports since 2020 and last year, UM won the 2023 football national championship.

For Manuel, his academic career remains a focus. A new record was set this summer when 243 student-athletes were named to the 2024 Academic All-Big Ten Team. This achievement requires that athletes be at least a sophomore and have a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or higher.

Manuel is a member of the College Football Playoff Selection Committee and currently represents UM and the Big Ten as the group’s chair. He will be honored on Dec. 10 with the National Football Foundation’s 2024 John L. Toner Award, which recognizes athletic directors who have demonstrated outstanding administrative skills and demonstrated outstanding commitment to college athletics, particularly college football.