WASHINGTON, D.C. - The Office of the Provost and Chief Academic Officer and the Office of the Vice Provost for Student Affairs announced the resignation of Dwight Datcher as Athletics Director and the appointment of Joseph Bell as Interim Director of Athletics, effective Tuesday, August 18, 2009.

Mr. Bell, in addition to having served as the head coach of the Howard swim team, also served as the head baseball and assistant football coach at Hampton University. Mr. Bell was director of Howard's nationally recognized and federally-funded Upward Bound Program. For many years, he has been a major contributor to an array of academic and student development initiatives. 

The University will conduct a national search for a permanent Director of Intercollegiate Athletics. A search advisory committee will be created and will include faculty, staff, student athletes, alumni and other key stakeholders. The University hopes to have a permanent Director of Intercollegiate Athletics in place by January 1, 2010.