Jeff Compher was introduced as NIU’s new Athletics Director Tuesday afternoon at the Yordon Center.

Compher replaces Jim Phillips, who on Feb. 28 announced he was leaving to fill the same position at Northwestern University.

Compher’s previous experience includes acting as executive associate athletics director at the University of Washington from 2004-2008. He was also director of athletics at Western Carolina University from 2000-2004 and has also worked at Vanderbilt University and North Carolina State.

“He’s very experienced and, most importantly, he’s just a real good fit here,” NIU President John Peters said. “It’s so important in this time of healing to try and find someone who will attract to the campus.”

NIU was not the only school interested in hiring Compher, who also interviewed at the University of Miami.

It was President Peters and the work Phillips put in at NIU that made it a better fit, Compher said.

“The foundation of success layered here by Jim Phillips is impressive and I think we can take it to the next level,” Compher said. “I put a lot of faith in Peters and this place is beyond what I expected.”