Manuel comes to UConn with impressive resume

Storrs, Conn. (WTNH) - The question many UConn sports fans may be asking is: just who is Warde Manuel?

UConn moved quickly on hiring a new Athletic Director.

Manuel arrives at Storrs after 6 successful years as the Athletic Director at the University of Buffalo.

He has experience cleaning up academic progress rates, the current major issue surrounding UConn men's basketball.

When Manuel took the job at Buffalo, 4 of the 20 teams he oversaw fell under the academic progress rate (APR) cut line. When he left, those teams, which included men's basketball and football achieved or exceeded APR expectations.

Manuel is no stranger to big time athletics.

Before Buffalo he was the Assistant and associate Athletic Director at the University of Michigan.

Manuel was also a student athlete for the Wolverines, where he was a member of the football and track teams.

He says he is looking forward to meeting with Jim Calhoun and the academic support staff.

University President Susan Herbst believes Manuel will play what she calls a "transformational role" in the future of UConn athletics.

Manuel replaces Jeff Hathaway who left the school last August.