Rutgers Makes Louisville’s Hermann Athletic Director [VIDEO]

Rutgers has introduced Julie Hermann as its new athletic director.

University President Robert Barchi made the announcement during a news conference Wednesday afternoon.

“It’s a pleasure to welcome Julie Hermann to the Rutgers community,” said Barchi. “She is one of the most respected athletics administrators in the country and she was deeply involved in moving Louisville from Conference USA to the Big East and from the Big East to the Atlantic Coast Conference. Her 15 years of leadership experience will be an invaluable asset to the university as we prepare to enter the Big Ten.”

Hermmann has been senior associate athletic director and senior woman administrator at the University of Louisville. She becomes the third female athletic director at a school among the 124 playing at college football's top tier. She will begin the job on June 17 and be the Rutgers' first female athletic director.

“Rutgers is poised to soar,” said Hermann at the press conference. “With a world-class faculty and academic reputation, a strategic location and the power and reach of the Big Ten, the university is positioned to create a best-in-class experience for every student who accepts the challenge to learn and compete at Rutgers.”

Rutgers has been looking for a new AD since Tim Pernetti resigned on April 5, part of the fallout from the Mike Rice scandal. Rice, the former men's basketball coach, was fired when a video of him pushing, kicking and throwing balls at players became public.

Herman acknowleged the situation during a question-and-answer session. "We need to be an open book," Hermann said. "It is a new day. It is fixed. ... That will never happen again on this prestigious campus."

The Associated Press contributed to this story