Mr. Ken Bothof
Athletic Director
133F BB&T Arena at Northern Kentucky University
(859) 572-6639 | bothofk1@nku.edu
Mr. Ken Bothof
Athletic Director
Ken Bothof is entering his fifth year as Northern Kentucky University’s director of athletics after taking the helm in August 2013.
Since arriving at Northern Kentucky, Bothof has led the charge in NKU’s Division I transition, advancing the Norse through the reclassification process, which culminated with active DI membership prior to the 2016-17 season. Bothof was also instrumental in NKU’s acceptance into the Horizon League, a move that aligned Northern Kentucky with other regional institutions that share the same vision. Membership in the Horizon League advances the university’s athletics mission of supporting student-athlete well-being; engaging the university and local community; and establishing relationships with alumni, friends, and fans.
NKU experienced tremendous success in its first season eligible for NCAA postseason competition, as both the men’s basketball and women’s soccer teams won Horizon League Tournament championships and advanced to the NCAA tournament. For men’s basketball, the accomplishment made NKU just the seventh team all-time and only the second since 1970 to reach the NCAA tournament in its first season eligible. Bothof hired head men’s basketball coach John Brannen prior to the 2015-16 season and the team is rapidly becoming one of the nation’s premier mid-major programs.
Northern Kentucky Athletics’ strategic plan Uprising was also established by Bothof in August 2015. The plan further engrains the athletic department’s mission, vision and values, while also establishing eight strategic priorities: Integrity, Accountability & Compliance; Academic Achievement; Student-Athlete Well-Being; Competitive Excellence; Facility Enhancement; Campus & Community Engagement; Resource Development & Fiscal Management; and Brand Awareness.
During his tenure at NKU, the athletics department has undergone reorganization throughout multiple departments in order to meet the priorities set forth in the strategic plan. Northern Kentucky’s external areas are growing at a rapid rate under his guidance. Men’s basketball season-ticket sales have nearly tripled during Bothof’s tenure and attendance has risen correspondingly. The success of NKU’s inaugural A Night with the Norse Gala in October 2016, a fundraiser that generated over $110,000 in support of Norse student-athletes, embodies the growth of Northern Kentucky’s philanthropic efforts over the last four years. Fundraising has more than doubled. And, with over 60 home events being broadcast on ESPN3 annually, Norse Athletics is gaining national exposure.
Northern Kentucky’s student-athletes have demonstrated unprecedented success in the classroom during Bothof’s tenure, including 12-straight semesters above a 3.0 GPA and six-straight above a 3.2. In fact, NKU’s GPA is still rising. In fall 2016, a program-record 3.28 GPA was recorded. Then, in the spring of 2017 the Norse posted a 3.25, the second-best in school history.
Bothof came to NKU from the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay, where he served as athletic director from 2002-13. Bothof’s tenure at Green Bay was marked by great success both on the field and in the classroom, as well as tremendous growth in support for the school’s 16 athletic programs. During his tenure, Green Bay was one of only two Horizon League schools to be ranked in the top 100 in the NCSA Athletic Recruiting Collegiate Power Rankings. Contributions to the Phoenix Fund more than tripled while membership in the fund quadrupled under Bothof. Ticket revenues and corporate sponsorships also increased.
Bothof has also served as chair of the Horizon League Finance Committee and chaired the Horizon League Executive Committee. He serves as the conference’s representative to the Division I-AAA Athletics Directors Association Executive Committee.
Prior to his tenure at Green Bay, he served as associate athletic director for external operations at Saint Louis University and served as associate athletic director and then senior associate athletic director at Idaho State University from 1990-95. He began his career at San Jose State University, where he served as assistant athletic director.
Bothof earned his bachelor of arts in education from Buena Vista University, where he competed in baseball and basketball. The Slayton, Minn., native is married to Carrie and has two children – Tyson and Kendra.