Campus News / Events

(Sault Ste. Marie, MI) – Lake Superior State University has selected Tory Lindley as its new director of athletics after conducting a national search. Lindley succeeds Dr. David Diles, who recently announced his retirement. Lindley begins on November 1, 2023 and will oversee the Division I Men’s Hockey Team, 11 Division II teams in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference and two ACHA DI/DII hockey teams. 

Mr. Lindley, a native of Suttons Bay, MI, brings 16 years of experience in Division I administrative experience and over 30 years of leadership experience and staff management to LSSU. Most recently, Lindley served at Youngstown State University as their Deputy Athletic Director for the past two years. In his time at Youngstown State University, he has created external partnerships resulting in multi-faceted healthcare services agreements, provided a performance enhancement services reorganization and performed key roles in strategic planning, and advancements in diversity and inclusion. 

Interim President Gillette stated, “We are looking forward to having Tory join us at LSSU.  He was overwhelmingly the top candidate in a very strong candidate pool.  He is committed to providing our athletes and coaches the tools they need to win.  He also has vast experience at supporting each student-athlete holistically to foster overall well-being, academic achievement, and leadership development.”

“I would like to thank President Gillette and the Board of Trustees for the opportunity to lead our athletics department and advance the academic mission of the university,” Mr. Lindley added. “Beth and I are thrilled to join the Lake Superior State University family.  The priorities will include creating excitement and investment in our wonderful university, our athletics department, and most importantly our student-athletes’ experience.”

Other career highlights for Tory include serving as the National Athletic Trainers’ Association (NATA) President for three years where he managed responsibility over the association’s $10.5 million operations budget. In 2023, Tory was a NATA Hall of Fame Inductee. He served in many different roles at Northwestern University from 2002-2020 including as the Senior Associate Athletic Director, the Associate Athletic Director, and as Assistant Athletic Director. Lindley has a wide variety of publications related to athletic training and has given over 150 professional presentations on risk management and sports medicine related topics. 

Julie Roe Lach, Commissioner of the Horizon League, speaks highly of Mr. Lindley’s accomplishments at Youngstown State University. “From the moment Tory joined the YSU staff as Deputy Athletics Director, he was a strong contributor on campus and in the Horizon League.  His leadership at the national level with NATA led to a comprehensive student-athlete welfare model that our members are now using.  In every dealing with Tory, he ensured the holistic student-athlete experience was central to the decision-making process.  We will miss him in #OurHorizon, yet are excited for this next chapter in his athletics administration career!”

Throughout the interview process, Mr. Lindley clearly laid out his vision for the athletics department at Lake Superior State University. In addition to the development of each student-athlete, he will strive to create greater visibility for the Laker brand, reinvest in people for professional development and longevity at LSSU, and create best in class game day experiences for alumni and fans.

“Tory is an incredible leader who brings a wealth of knowledge to the Athletics Director role at Lake Superior State University,” stated Commissioner Dr. Jim Phillips of the Atlantic Coast Conference. “Throughout his tenure, he has been unwavering in his support for student-athletes, and I congratulate LSSU’s leadership on their hire for this significant role.  A sincere and heartfelt congratulations to Tory and his wife, Beth, and the entire Lindley family.”

LSSU will hold a press conference for Mr. Lindley on October 13, 2023 at 1:00 p.m. in the Bud Cooper Gymnasium, located in the Norris Center on the LSSU campus.  All are welcome to attend.

For more information about Lake Superior State University, please visit www.lssu.edu.