With a pair of promotions and a hiring, NIU Athletic Director Gerald O’Dell has completed his athletic administrative staff.

Associate Athletic Director Cary Groth is elevated to the position of senior associate athletic director, while former Oklahoma City University dean of students Keith Hackett fills the vacant associate athletic director post and athletic business office employee Sheila Berg is promoted to the position of athletic business manager.

Groth, a 1978 NIU graduate, originally joined the Huskie staff in 1981 as the assistant women’s tennis coach. She then moved on to the head position while also serving as the assistant women’s athletic director.

“Cary will assume additional management duties and essentially become my right hand in the overall athletic administration,” O‘Dell said. “The bottom line is that she can be trusted to make sound, fundamental administrations on a daily basis. And that’s important as we move into the 1990’s.”

Hackett succeeds Clarence Hudson, who resigned his position in May. Hackett’s responsibilities include overseeing the Huskie football, men’s and women’s basketball, wrestling, plus men’s and women’s golf programs, accompanied by other auxiliary athletic activities.

At Oklahoma City, Hackett was responsible for OCU’s university housing as well as the hiring and supervision of 23 staff members. He also managed budgets relating to Housing, Health Services, Student Activities, Intramurals, Student Foundation, Black Student Union and Dormitory Associations.

A 1976 graduate of Tarkio (MO) College with a bachelor of arts degree in physical education, Hackett earned his master’s degree in education from the University of Kansas in 1979 and completed post-graduate studies in athletic administration from Memphis State University in 1983. This past May he received his master’s in business administration from OCU.

“Keith fits the criteria we used in our search. Someone with Division I coaching and administrative experience, a problem solver,” O’Dell said.

Berg joined the NIU Athletic Business Office in 1985 as an Account Technician I. From 1986 to 1988 she served as an Account Technician II followed by her advancement to the Accountant I classification. Berg succeeds Patty Perkins, who resigned to accept a position as administrative assistant to the school’s vice president for finance and planning.

“I’m really excited to reward Sheila with the position of business manager,” O’Dell said. “She is literally someone who’s worked her way up because of her technical abilities and skills. She represents many of the people on our staff; a strong work ethhic, integrity and enthusiasm for the job.”