Fordham University’s athletic department is undergoing a significant leadership transition following the departure of Athletic Director Ed Kull, who has accepted a new position at St. John’s University. Charlie Elwood was named interim director of athletics on Sept. 14 following Kull’s departure. Elwood, formerly a senior associate athletic director at St. John’s, brings considerable experience to Fordham during this transition period.
During Kull’s tenure, Fordham Athletics experienced notable improvements in athletic performance and financial support. One of his key achievements was raising more than $10 million to benefit student-athletes, including a record-setting $5 million for the New Era Fund, which specifically supported the basketball programs. His tenure also saw Fordham celebrate conference titles and NCAA berths in Water Polo, Men’s Soccer, Softball and Women’s Tennis.
Kull’s hiring of Kyle Neptune as head coach for Men’s Basketball in the 2021-22 season resulted in an immediate improvement in team performance. Following Neptune’s departure, Keith Urgo was promoted, leading the team to 25 wins, which tied for the second-highest win total in program history. Kull also extended the contract of football head coach Joe Conlin, whose team advanced to the FCS playoffs in 2022.
At his St. John’s press conference, Kull expressed his gratitude to Fordham President Tania Tetlow, Joseph M. McShane, president emeritus, and the Board of Trustees for their confidence and support. Kull remarked on his time at Fordham: “When I took over, many people said Fordham didn’t care about athletics, but we worked to change that.” He acknowledged the contributions of Frank McLaughlin, athletic director emeritus and special advisor to the director of intercollegiate athletics and recreational sports, whom he credited for encouraging him to return to college athletics and providing guidance throughout his tenure at Fordham.
As the interim athletic director, Elwood emphasized the need for stability and continuity within the department as Fordham starts the national search for a permanent successor to Kull. Elwood has clarified that he will prioritize maintaining the progress achieved under Kull’s leadership. “We have an excellent group of coaches and staff, and our main focus is to provide the necessary support to ensure a great experience for all our student-athletes,” Elwood said. The timeline for the search will be finalized in the coming weeks. Elwood reiterated his focus on his interim responsibilities when asked about the possibility of staying permanently. “My priority is to lead the department through this transition period until a new athletic director is appointed,” he said.
Fordham’s sports teams are already actively competing, and Elwood is optimistic about their prospects. He highlighted the water polo team, which has consistently performed at a high level, as a critical program to watch this season. “Our nationally ranked water polo program looks to have another strong season and return to the NCAAs for the fourth consecutive year,” he said.
As the fall sports season progresses, attention will soon shift to winter sports, particularly Men’s and Women’s Basketball. Fordham’s basketball programs compete in the Atlantic 10 Conference and are central to the university’s athletic profile. Elwood emphasized the importance of accessibility and training in supporting these programs: “Our focus is on ensuring that coaches and administrators are present, accessible and meeting the needs of our student-athletes.”
The basketball season is set to begin on Nov. 4, and the performance of these teams will be critical to maintaining Fordham’s competitive standing. While basketball remains a crucial focus, Elwood reaffirmed his commitment to supporting Fordham’s athletic programs, ensuring each has the necessary resources to succeed.
Elwood acknowledged the challenges of filling the leadership void that Kull left. “Ed was an influential leader, and his absence will be felt,” he remarked. Despite this, he expressed confidence in the robust systems and structures already in place, emphasizing that Fordham Athletics is well-positioned to maintain its momentum, particularly with the upcoming basketball season soon approaching. Elwood’s leadership experience will be important during this transition in keeping the department focused on its goals and ensuring that all teams receive the support necessary to compete at the highest level.
