Western Michigan announces SMU deputy athletic director Alex Gary as new AD
The Broncos have hired a replacement for Dan Bartholomae, hiring one of his former coworkers from their days at Oregon State.
Western Michigan announced on Monday that SMU deputy athletic director Alex Gary is being hired and will serve as the school’s next athletic director.
"My family and I are incredibly honored to join Western Michigan University and become part of this community,” Gary said in a quote in the press release announcing his hire. “Western Michigan has tremendous momentum, and I believe the opportunity in front of us is significant. We will build on what has already been accomplished, raise our ambition and accelerate the momentum already underway. I truly believe the best days of Bronco Athletics are still ahead."
The Detroit News' Tony Paul reported Gary will make $415,000 annually as a base salary on a five-year deal.
He replaces Dan Bartholomae, now at Michigan State, in the role. Bartholomae was announced as the new leader for Michigan State athletics in August and began his role there at the end of the month.
"During our nationwide search, Alex quickly set himself apart because he brings the experience and values of Western Michigan," said WMU President Russ Kavalhuna in a release announcing the hire. "Having sat in the athletics director's chair, he understands the responsibility of leading an entire department, supporting coaches and staff, and putting student-athlete success and comprehensive well-being at the center of every decision. He also has a proven track record as a fundraiser and knows how to bring people together to build the resources our programs need. I appreciate the thoughtful engagement of our Board of Trustees and campus partners throughout this search. Alex is the right leader to build on the momentum of Bronco Athletics."
A press conference is planned for Thursday in Kalamazoo to introduce Gary. More details are to follow.
Gary most recently served as director for external relations at SMU, a title he took on in early 2025, piloting major fundraising efforts in the months that followed.
Per his SMU biography, Gary led “the philanthropic revenue strategy for SMU Athletics, blending traditional fundraising with NIL-era and external partnership opportunities. He introduced the Boulevard Society, the university's first major-giving platform, with a $100 million effort dedicated to athletics priorities. In Gary's first full year overseeing fundraising, SMU Athletics reached $98.6 million in total fundraising production, the second-highest total in department history.”
Andrew Graham
"Western Michigan has landed a rising star in our industry!” SMU AD Damon Evans said in a quote in the release. “Alex is extremely equipped to handle today's evolving landscape of intercollegiate athletics. His leadership and understanding of revenue generation will bode well for Western Michigan."
Gary also has prior experience as an athletic director, leading the Western Carolina department for five years prior to his role at SMU.
Gary also previously worked at Oregon State, where he worked alongside Bartholomae — a connection that may have now been parlayed into Gary succeeding him in Kalamazoo.
"Alex Gary is a dynamic and collaborative leader who commits himself and those around him to excellence,” Bartholomae said in a quote included in the release. “More importantly, I know he is a great person and a great teammate from our time together at Oregon State University. I'm excited to have him and Katie here in the State of Michigan and to watch him raise WMU to new heights."
Gary arrives at Western Michigan as the athletic department has been on the rise. The football program is coming off a MAC title season and the men’s ice hockey team is nationally competitive.
A new massive downtown arena, which will house the WMU basketball teams and ice hockey team, along with being a mixed-use venue space for the city, is coming online in about a year.
Gary has a bachelor’s degree from VCU and earned an MBA from UNC Charlotte.
Gary’s wife, Katie, is from St. Joseph, Michigan, and he has family in the Kalamazoo area.
