UNIVERSITY CENTER, Mich. – Saginaw Valley State University Director of Athletics John Decker has announced his retirement effective Friday, Aug. 12. Decker joined SVSU as Associate Vice President and General Counsel in 2014 and assumed responsibility for SVSU Athletics in 2018.
"It truly has been an honor to be affiliated with the student-athletes at SVSU," Decker said. "They reflect the highest ideals of NCAA athletics in their balancing of academics, athletics, and community engagement, and it is extremely gratifying to see college athletes whose primary incentive for competing is simply because they love the sport they play."
Angela Pohl, SVSU Deputy Athletic Director/Senior Woman Administrator, will take over leadership of the department as the Interim Director of Athletics.
Decker's final year at the helm saw SVSU Athletics attain its highest finish in the past 35 years in the GLIAC (Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference) President's Cup standings, placing second behind Grand Valley State University. In 2022 SVSU Athletics also received the two largest alumni donations dedicated to providing scholarships and Student-Athlete support in the history of the Department.
Decker also guided the Department while managing various NCAA and Title IX gender equity issues, along with navigating SVSU Athletics through the COVID -19 pandemic.
"Without question, the pandemic was the most challenging part of my time as AD," Decker said. "The decisions that were made may not have always been popular, but at all times they were driven completely by what was determined by our healthcare experts to be in the best interests of the health and welfare of our Student-Athletes."
The establishment of a third-party billing process to generate financial resources for athletic training and strength and conditioning is also now underway at SVSU.
"I would like to thank John Decker for his leadership of SVSU Athletics during a very challenging period of time," said Donald Bachand, SVSU president. "Our athletic programs are competing at a high level, not only within the GLIAC, but nationally. John also has built important relationships to further advance opportunities for SVSU student-athletes.
"I wish John and his wife Sally, SVSU professor of nursing, a well-earned retirement. I appreciate Angela Pohl's dedication to SVSU Athletics and she will have my full support as she takes on her added responsibilities."
During Decker's tenure, SVSU hired nine new head coaches. The search for a head coach of the recently added 20th varsity sport, women's lacrosse, is currently underway.
Athletic facilities at SVSU have seen numerous upgrades throughout Decker's tenure, including the new video scoreboard at Wickes Stadium that debuted in the fall of 2021. SVSU Athletics is currently overseeing numerous enhancements taking place this summer, including the addition of artificial turf to the soccer/lacrosse field, replacement of the football field turf, the addition of new scoreboards for the soccer/lacrosse field and the indoor fieldhouse, resurfacing of the outdoor tennis courts, and replacement of flooring in the basketball and volleyball arenas. Funding is in place to revamp the Cardinal Athletics Hall of Fame display area in the Ryder Center later this year.
Heading into the 2022 SVSU football season, Decker will be completing a collaboration with Bowie State University Athletics to celebrate the HBCU experience, which will include a number of educational and cultural events surrounding the Cardinal football game with the Bulldogs on Saturday, Sept. 10 at Wickes Stadium.
"None of our recent accomplishments would have been possible without an exceptional administrative team. Angela Pohl has been a tremendous and valuable teammate and I am confident that SVSU Athletics will continue to grow and prosper during the interim period under her leadership," Decker said.
A Saginaw native, Decker obtained his bachelor's degree at the University of Nebraska, where he also was a member of the Cornhuskers' 1970 National Championship football team. He earned a law degree at Duke University in 1974. Prior to joining SVSU, he was a partner at the Saginaw law firm Braun Kendrick, which included serving for 12 years as the firm's managing partner.
Decker and his wife, Dr. Sally Decker, who will be retiring as a professor of nursing at SVSU at the end of June, have two children and four grandchildren.
John's emphasis on enhancing the overall student-athlete experience emanates throughout our department. His leadership has elevated our programs to new heights in the classroom and our competition venues. Personally, I am grateful for his mentorship, collegiality, and friendship, and wish he and Sally the best in this new chapter of their lives. I am honored for the opportunity to succeed John as Interim Director of Athletics for the SVSU Cardinals and look forward to continuing the momentum built during his tenure. – Angela Pohl, SVSU Deputy Athletic Director/Senior Woman Administrator
Congratulations to John. I can't thank him enough for all he has done for me, our staff, and our men's basketball program. John is one of the most consistent and fair people I have ever been around, and to me, when looking for leadership, this is all we can ask for. Thank you, John. I hope you and Sally enjoy your retirement together. – Randy Baruth, Men's Basketball Head Coach
John's uncanny ability to make each department feel valued by the athletics administration has enriched the working experience at SVSU during his leadership tenure. He has personally served as not only a supervisor but a mentor, confidant, and friend over these serval years. John brought an inclusive approach, critical thought, and a relationship-oriented approach to SVSU Athletics. I will remember the overtime win experience at Texas A&M Commerce with John for a very long time. Thank you and Best Wishes. – Chris Winter, Assistant Athletic Director for Sports Performance / Head Strength & Conditioning Coach
All of my thanks and appreciation go to John Decker for my career here at SVSU. He was the one who took a chance on me for the current role that I am in, and I could not be ever more grateful. John has helped not only myself but the entire athletic department deals with all of the challenges that were brought against us, including the COVID-19 pandemic. We were ever so grateful to have John as a leader throughout all of those challenging times. John has also helped this department be one of the best competing schools not only in the GLIAC but in Division II as a whole. I have appreciated John's leadership, mentorship, and being a great supervisor towards me. Congratulations on your retirement and you will be truly missed. Don't be a stranger and look forward to still seeing you at all of the SVSU Athletic competitions. Go Cards! – Brad Barlog, Assistant Athletic Director of Facilities and Events
John showed exemplary leadership during the pandemic. He created processes during the pandemic that kept our student-athletes and staff safe and engaged. Our win-loss records over the last year are a direct result of his leadership! – Rod Cowan, Head Track & Field/Cross Country Coach
John has been a fantastic Athletic Director to work for. Since I came to SVSU three years ago, he has impressively responded to several significant challenges; including NCAA issues, the COVID pandemic, etc. It is obvious that our student-athletes, and their welfare, are at the forefront of John's mind whenever he is making decisions on behalf of SVSU Athletics. He will be greatly missed. – Michael Pierce, Associate Athletic Director of Compliance & Academic Services
I'd like to be the first to congratulate John on an outstanding professional career. As SVSU's Athletic Director, John completely changed the culture and environment within the Athletic Department in an extraordinarily short amount of time. The direction of SVSU Athletics is very bright and the future looks for strong for all of our athletic programs. John deserves much of the credit and recognition for SVSU's Athletic Successes over the past four years. We will all miss John dearly, as John is a winner, champion, and leader of SVSU. I wish John and his family all the best as he moves into the next chapter in his life. Thank you, John, for all your hard work, dedication, service, and passion for SVSU Athletics. – Ryan Brady, Head Football Coach
John Decker took on a pivotal role as our AD at a crucial time for SVSU athletics when dealing with challenging issues related to the NCAA. With his personal background in collegiate sports as a national champion student-athlete combined with his successful law career prior to SVSU, John led the athletics department calmly and smoothly through those issues to a 'soon to be' successful outcome. He has advocated for many additions and improvements for all our athletic programs and is leaving SVSU Athletics in a stronger and more successful position for a future AD to take the helm. – Kevin Schultz, Director of Athletic Development
I want to thank John for bringing me to SVSU last year and helping guide me, as well as the entire department through a chaotic return to competition following the pandemic. His calm leadership has been pivotal and the guidance he has shown has led to great success in competition and in the classroom throughout his tenure as AD. I wish John, and his wife Sally, the best of luck in the future. – Nick McCutcheon, Assistant Athletic Director for Communications
It was a pleasure serving this athletic department under John's leadership. I'm grateful for him giving me this opportunity as he continuously showed his kindness and support to our department and fellow cardinals. I wish him well in the next chapter of his life but look forward to seeing him around future events. - Brad Smith, Assistant Athletic Director/Director of Sports Medicine/Head Athletic Trainer