GRAND FORKS, N.D. – The University of North Dakota Athletics Department and UND Alumni Association & Foundation jointly announced today that Associate Athletics Director/Major Gifts Mike Mannausau has been named Vice President of Development, Major Gifts, for the University.

In his new role, Mannausau will provide strategic direction, vision and management of the UND Foundation's major giving program. He will be responsible, in partnership with deans and development officers representing units across campus, for planning and administering a comprehensive fundraising program to benefit the University.
 
"It has truly been a blessing for Tiffany and our family to have been so closely associated with UND Athletics for over the past 20 years," said Mannausau. "We both have created so many wonderful memories and friendships for which we are eternally grateful. I cannot say thank you enough to everyone that I have had the pleasure of working with from players, coaches, staff, administrators and our passionate alumni and fans. Tiffany and I have always felt the thing that makes UND so special is the people. It is because of love and loyalty to UND that we are so excited for this next chapter.  I am looking forward to working side by side with our campus partners as we continue to create opportunities for all who come onto campus and are touched by her influence and who carry on the North Dakota sprit that so many of our Alumni share."

Mannausau will begin his new role on Aug. 16.

"Mike has a great passion for the University of North Dakota and our students. He has done a fantastic job developing relationships that will benefit UND Athletics for years into the future, and we look forward to him continuing to build relationships with our broader alumni base and friends of the University," said DeAnna Carlson Zink, '86, CEO, UND Alumni Association & Foundation.
 
Mannausau had served in his previous Athletics Department capacity since 2013, initially joining the Alumni Association & Foundation as Executive Director of the Champions Club, the official fundraising arm of UND Athletics. In that role, Mannausau worked with major donors and prospects to obtain funds for athletic facilities, Impact Scholarships, and endowments. UND Athletics enjoyed record giving and membership levels during that time, culminating in UND's 12th consecutive year of record giving IN 2017-18.
 
"Congratulations to Mike for earning this tremendous new opportunity. It is so well deserved and there is no doubt that he will excel in this role, just like he has in every other role at UND since he stepped foot on campus in 1994," said UND Athletics Director Bill Chaves. "I have been fortunate to form a great relationship with Mike over the past five months and I really look forward to growing it for many years to come so that the University of North Dakota continues to be a world-class flagship institution. I will be working with the Alumni Association & Foundation to replace Mike in the next several weeks."

Prior to joining UND's fundraising team in 2013, Mannausau had spent the previous nine years on the North Dakota football coaching staff, including the final seven as defensive coordinator. Prior to the 2008 season, he was elevated to assistant head coach and was later named associate head coach.A standout linebacker for UND 1994-98, Mannausau lettered four times and was a 1998 Football Gazette All-America honorable mention honoree. He received both his bachelor's (physical education) and master's degrees (kinesiology) from UND.