There’s nothing like coming home, and Albany, NY native Charles Guthrie will have that experience as he returns to his home state as the new athletic director at Fordham University.
The news was first reported by ESPN College Football Senior Writer, Pete Thamel.
Guthrie had been the AD at Akron since May of 2021. However, he and the school mutually agreed to part ways a week ago.
“Today is bittersweet but, after extensive soul-searching and a lot of prayer, we have decided that it is in the best interest of both my UA family and my own family to part now,” said Guthrie said in a statement. “We have treasured our time with Zips Nation and eagerly look forward to our next chapter. It has been a true honor to serve alongside an extraordinary team of coaches, athletic staff and administrators who prioritize the student-athlete experience, operate with unwavering integrity and have a tireless work ethic. Thank you to our dedicated alumni, donors and fans. Go Zips!”
During his tenure at Akron, the school won 11 MAC championships. In addition, the men’s basketball team reached the NCAA tournament twice (2022 and 2024) and he helped get the men’s soccer team into the Big East Conference.
Fordham is getting an experienced athletic director as Guthrie held that title at Clark College, San Francisco State and the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay. He also spent time in New York City as the Director of Marketing, Tickets and Recreation Gym Memberships for the Department of Athletics at Columbia University before he headed to the West Coast.
At his introductory conference on Thursday, Guthrie expressed his excitement about his new role and the City.
“I look forward to immersing myself in the Fordham and Greater New York communities,” Guthrie said. “We will build around excitement. Excitement around our program that is felt by Fordham faculty, students and alumni here in New York and around the globe. We are ready to innovate and take full advantage of the new landscape of college athletics and what it can mean for the university.
“Now is the time to be front-foot forward to ensure Fordham is well-positioned for the next iteration of college athletics. I know this as long as we remain student-centered…we will succeed here at Fordham.”
Guthrie holds a B.S. in Political Science from Syracuse University and earned his M.S. in Education Administration and Policy Studies from the University of Albany.
