David Sayler was named Miami University's 16th athletic director on Dec. 13, 2012, and started his role on a day-to-day basis on Jan. 2. He came to Oxford after two years in a similar role at the University of South Dakota.

Sayler was the top choice of university president Dr. David Hodge to replace Brad Bate, citing growing experience from eight different collegiate athletic programs.

"It was quickly apparent that David's values align strongly with Miami - putting the student-athlete first, insisting on the highest levels of integrity, and being fiercely competitive," said Hodge. "He has deep experience at a variety of universities and has been a sitting AD. I look forward to his leadership advancing our intercollegiate athletics."

As South Dakota's Athletic Director, Sayler emphasized the improvement of the student-athlete's overall experience and instilling a renewed sense of pride in Coyote athletics. Among his accomplishments were securing USD's 2012 membership in the Missouri Valley Football Conference and leading the way for USD's aggressive Master Facilities Plan, which includes new facilities for basketball, outdoor track and field, and soccer. Sayler played a major role in securing a $20 million private gift, the largest single contribution in South Dakota athletics history. He also raised funds for a new basketball floor, which was introduced in 2011-12, and football turf, which made its debut in the fall of 2012.

Coyote student-athletes thrived in the classroom during Sayler's time at South Dakota, posting a grade-point average of over 3.1. USD won the Summit League's Institutional Academic Achievement Award in 2011-12, which goes to the school that has the highest percentage of list-eligible athletes on the Summit League Commissioner's List of Academic Excellence.

Sayler oversaw the hiring of two head coaches during his tenure at South Dakota and was instrumental in the athletic department signing an apparel and shoe contract with adidas in February 2012.

Prior to joining USD, Sayler served as Senior Executive Athletic Director at Rice University for four years, while also heading the department as Interim Athletic Director from October 2009 to March 2010. He was responsible for the day-to-day operations of the entire athletic department, directly overseeing all internal operations, as well as providing administrative oversight for all 16 of Rice's varsity sports. He also assisted with the development of a strategic plan for Rice Athletics and served as the administrator of that plan for the department. Sayler also was a key figure in several facility projects across campus. He directed the funding model, planning and building of a $26 million renovation of Autry Court, as well as the $41 million construction of a recreation center. Under his watch, Rice Athletics had a balanced budget for fiscal years 2007 and 2008, the first times that ever occurred under the Board of Trustees-approved budget funding model for athletics.

Sayler also has served two years in senior athletic administration at Oregon State University and four years at Bowling Green State University. In addition, he has been an integral part of the athletic staffs at the University of Houston, the University of Hartford, the University of Georgia and the University of Connecticut.

After graduation from Ohio Wesleyan University (1991) with a Bachelor of Arts in Accounting, Sayler worked three years in the private sector, spending time with Ernst & Young in Cleveland and Peterson Consulting in Chicago.

Sayler, born Sept. 6, 1969 in Greenwich, Conn., is married to the former Katie Fitzgerald of Bowling Green, Ohio. The couple has two sons, Connor Jameson (who turns 6 in January) and Liam Patrick (3).