Christian Spears, deputy director of Athletics, has been promoted to acting director of NIU Athletics with the recent departure of Jeff Compher.

Spears, who has been a part of the Athletics executive administrations team since 2009, will begin his new position April 15.

“First and foremost, I want to thank Dr. John Peters and Jeff Compher for bringing me and my family to NIU four years ago,” Spears said in a news release. “What this department has accomplished together with our university community, coaches and student-athletes during that time has been truly special.”

Spears has an annual salary of $100,002.00 as deputy director and will be compensated for extra duties as acting director of Athletics. He was chosen to be acting director of Athletics by Peters, the president of NIU, in concurrence with newly announced incoming president Doug Baker.

“While ultimately the selection of a new director of athletics will be the prerogative of Dr. Baker, this selection best ensures continuity within the athletic department in the interim,” Peters said in a news release. “We believe that Christian can capitalize on the opportunity and interest in NIU created by the Orange Bowl berth to continue the growth of our athletics program, increase attendance and interest and promote Huskie athletics to our students, faculty, alumni and fans in our community and service region.”

Before NIU, Spears started at SIU as an assistant athletics director in 2003 after coming from Harvard University, where he was assistant director of athletic compliance.