AKRON — University of Akron president Dr. Luis Proenza named Hunter Yurachek Interim Director of Athletics and announced that a national search will begin immediately to replace former UA director of athletics Mack Rhoades.

Rhoades accepted the director of athletics position at the University of Houston on June 11 and will stay at The University of Akron through the end of July, assisting Yurachek with the transition.

Yurachek is in his fourth year with the Zips, serving the last two years as executive senior associate athletics director. He oversees, manages and leads the athletics department’s external relations unit, which includes marketing and promotions, media relations, ticket operations, development (Z-Fund), video operations and merchandising. In addition to those tasks, he is the sport administrator for men’s basketball, men’s golf and women’s golf- — hiring of golf coaches Nick Goetze and Jenny King, as well as working closely with the football program. Yurachek also works closely with ISP - which handles UA’s radio network, sponsorships and advertising.

Prior to coming to Akron, Yurachek spent the previous two years as the associate athletics director for marketing at the University of Virginia. He spent four years (2001-04) as senior associate athletics director at Western Carolina University and two years at Vanderbilt University (1998-2000) as an assistant athletics director and director of marketing and promotions. The native of Charlotte, N.C., began his career in athletics administration at Wake Forest University (1994-98) as the assistant director of marketing and promotions.