STEUBENVILLE, OHIO—Franciscan University of Steubenville’s Athletic Department announced Daniel Andersen ’97 will return to his alma mater as the new director of Athletics.

Andersen will assume full-time responsibilities in January but will spend time on campus this fall meeting with Athletics staff and getting acquainted with Franciscan’s 20 NCAA Division III varsity sports. He will be the fourth director of Athletics to serve in the role since varsity athletics returned to Franciscan in 2007.

“Athletics is an integral part of Franciscan University and provides an exciting opportunity for us to live our core values of encounter, conversion, and community,” said Dr. Dan Dentino ’97, vice president of Student Life. “Danny Andersen is the right person to build on Franciscan’s unique athletics history and charism of forming joyful disciples while being a light to all whom we encounter both on and off the field.”

Dentino also said Andersen has a wide range of experience that will take the Baron teams to the next level, adding, as a graduate of the University, he embraces our mission and has demonstrated excellence as a transformational leader throughout his professional career.”

Daniel Andersen ’97, new director of Athletics

Andersen graduated from Franciscan University in 1997 with his BA in theology and earned his JD summa cum laude from the University of Mississippi in 2001. Following law school, he clerked for the Honorable W. Allen Pepper, Jr., U.S. District Judge, Northern District of Mississippi. A member of the CIA’s Senior Intelligence Service since 2014, he brings a wealth of leadership experience from a distinguished career at the highest levels of public service. After four years as an officer in the U.S. Navy JAG Corps, he has served 16 years as an attorney in the CIA’s Office of General Counsel.

“Franciscan University is a special place that has had profound and enduring significance in my life in almost every facet,” said Andersen. “It is truly my alma mater in every sense of the term. I am grateful to Franciscan’s president, Father Pivonka, and the University’s leadership for the opportunity to return as director of Athletics and help form the next generation of student-athletes as we compete at the highest level and advance the mission of the University.”

No stranger to athletic competition, Andersen was an award-winning high school basketball player and an original member of Franciscan’s Club basketball team before the University obtained NCAA membership. He also played strong safety in the semi-pro Eastern Football League, has completed numerous triathlons— including two Ironman races—and coached a variety of youth sports.

Andersen will assume leadership of an athletics program that continues to thrive since entering the NCAA Division III in the fall of 2007. Its 20 varsity programs have won 35 conference championships. The Barons have been full-time members of the Presidents’ Athletic Conference (PAC) since 2020 for all sports except men’s rugby, which plays in the Allegheny Rugby Union (ARU). Eight athletes have earned All-American honors since 2012, with the most recent being Claire Walters in cross country in 2022.

Andersen is married to Liz (Forest ’06) Andersen and they have four children, Clara, Max, Maria, and Joe.

Alexis Basil, the University’s assistant athletic director for Compliance and Operations and senior woman administrator will serve as interim director of Athletics until Andersen takes on full-time duties in January. Basil has been with Franciscan Athletics since 2015 and is an integral member of the Athletics leadership team.

“We are excited to welcome Danny into our Baron family!” said Basil. “With his extensive leadership experience and his personal and professional focus on mission and excellence, we are confident he will elevate this department’s impact both here in our campus community and as we continue to grow and compete in the President’s Athletic Conference.”

Dentino expressed his appreciation for Basil’s work ethic and commitment to Baron athletics.

“I want to thank Alexis for the work she has done over the past several months and for the work she will continue to do as a member of the athletics leadership team moving forward,” he said.