NORMAN — The University of Oklahoma Athletics Department mourns the passing of former Senior Associate Athletics Director Dr. Gerald Gurney, who, as the leader of OU's academic and student life areas for the better part of 20 years starting in 1993, helped those areas experience unprecedented growth and success. He was 70.
President of the National Association of Academic Advisors for Athletics (N4A) in 2010-11 and the Drake Group from 2014-16, Gurney also served as a professor, teaching undergraduate and graduate courses in the subject areas of athletics in higher education, athletics academic reform and ethics in athletics. Additionally, he researched and wrote for a number of national higher education journals and co-authored the book "Unwinding Madness: What Went Wrong with College Sports and How to Fix It." In 2006, he received the N4A's Lan Hewlett Award, one of the most prestigious honors bestowed by the organization. In 2021, the Drake Group named its service award after Gurney, its first recipient.
"We are deeply saddened by the passing of Dr. Gurney, a distinguished and decorated athletics administrator who cared deeply for and had a profound impact on the many, many student-athletes he served at Oklahoma," said OU Vice President and Director of Athletics Joe Castiglione. "Beyond the vast number of lives he touched within our athletics department, he was also an accomplished professor who loved to share his deep intercollegiate athletics knowledge with his students, and he will be greatly missed by so many. Our prayers and sincerest sympathies are with his wife, Dr. Debra Stuart, and daughter, Dr. Rachel Gurney."
Gurney began his career in athletics as an academic counselor at Iowa State University before serving as assistant athletics director for academic affairs at Southern Methodist University and associate athletics director for academic support and compliance at the University of Maryland. Later at Maryland, as assistant to the provost, his duties focused on campus retention efforts and undergraduate academic advising.
Gurney graduated cum laude from The Ohio State University in 1973 with a degree in English education. He earned his master's degree in student personnel work and counseling from Ohio State in 1976 and received his Ph.D. in higher education administration from Iowa State in 1980.
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In Memory of Gerald Gurney, 70 years old, who resided in Norman, Oklahoma and was born April 29, 1951 and passed away on February, 23rd, 2022. He is survived by his wife Debra Stuart and his daughter Rachel. Gerald retired from Oklahoma University in September of 2021. He had been there in both athletics and the academy since 1993 and during that time had the honor of working with and teaching great students and athletes. It had been a great run with lots of experiences he treasured. He was also awarded Professor Emeritus of Academic Affairs by the OU Regents. He will be missed by many.
Gerald Gurney, Ph.D., is an assistant professor of Adult and Higher Education at the University of Oklahoma (OU), where he teaches in the subject areas of athletics in higher education, athletics academic reform and ethics in athletics. He does research, writes and is a regular commentary contributor in a number of national higher education trade journals.
Gurney previously served as the senior associate athletics Director at the University of Oklahoma from 1993-2011. He was in charge of OU’s student life center, academic services and sports medicine. He oversaw a comprehensive athletics student life center with an annual operating budget of $3 million.
In June 2006, he received the Lan Hewlett Award from the National Association of Academic Advisors for Athletics (N4A). The award is considered the top honor in the profession.
In 2007, Gurney chaired a joint NCAA/N4A task force on consulting to select and train consultants to visit NCAA member institutions needing assistance with improvement on Academic Performance Program results and academic support program assessment for NCAA certification requirements.
The OU Athletics Department was awarded the prestigious 2007 PRISM Award for managerial excellence in student-athlete development and was cited for excellence in the creation of its Psychological Resources for OU Student-Athletes (PROS) in its academic services program. The department also was awarded the 2005 Innovations in Mental Health Award for psychological programs and services for student-athletes from the Mental Health Association for Oklahoma County. Oklahoma. In 2007, Gurney was recognized by the Oklahoma Psychological Association with a Distinguished Citizen citation.
In 2005, Gurney received the Outstanding Adjunct Professor of the Year award in the Department of Educational Leadership and Policy Studies for his outstanding teaching in the department. In 2006, he received the Distinguished Service Award for his efforts in implementing a master’s degree program emphasis in intercollegiate athletics administration.
Gurney graduated cum laude from The Ohio State University in 1973 with a degree in English education. He earned his master’s in student personnel work and counseling in 1976 from Ohio State and then received his Ph.D. from Iowa State University in higher education administration in 1980.
He began his career in athletics as an academic counselor at Iowa State. He left ISU to become assistant athletic director for academic affairs at SMU before serving as associate athletics director for academic support and compliance at the University of Maryland. Later, as assistant to the provost, his duties focused on campus retention efforts and undergraduate academic advising.
He has served on NCAA Certification teams which conduct peer reviews of institutional adherence to operating principles for governance, equity and academic integrity since 1993. He has been a member of the editorial review board for the International Journal of Sport Management since 1999. He and his wife, Debra Stuart, have a daughter, Rachel.
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CLEVELAND — The National Association of Academic and Student-Athlete Development Professionals (N4A) is mourning the loss of Past President Dr. Gerald Gurney, who passed away on Wednesday, Feb. 23 at the age of 70.
Most recently, Gurney was a professor emeritus of academic affairs at the University of Oklahoma (OU). Prior to that role, he was an assistant professor of adult and higher education at OU, where he taught in the subject areas of athletics in higher education, athletics academic reform and ethics in athletics. He previously served as senior associate athletics director at Oklahoma from 1993-2011. Gurney was in charge of OU's student life center, academic services and sports medicine. He oversaw a comprehensive athletics student life center with an annual operating budget of $3 million.
Gurney served as N4A President in 2010-11. In 2006, he received the N4A's Lan Hewlett Award, one of the most prestigious honors bestowed by the Association.
"Dr. Gurney was a wealth of wisdom, and his contributions have left a lasting impression over the years as our Association has evolved," said N4A President Ashton Henderson, executive associate athletics director for championship resources at Michigan State University. "Dr. Gurney will be sorely missed and we will continue to uplift, celebrate, and ensure his legacy permeates throughout our N4A Family for the years to come."
In 2007, Gurney chaired a joint NCAA/N4A task force on consulting to select and train consultants to visit NCAA member institutions needing assistance with improvement on Academic Performance Program results and academic support program assessment for NCAA certification requirements.
He began his career in athletics as an academic counselor at Iowa State University. He left ISU to become assistant athletics director for academic affairs at SMU before serving as associate athletics director for academic support and compliance at the University of Maryland. Later, as assistant to the provost, his duties focused on campus retention efforts and undergraduate academic advising.
Gurney previously served on NCAA Certification teams which conduct peer reviews of institutional adherence to operating principles for governance, equity and academic integrity since 1993. He was a member of the editorial review board for the International Journal of Sport Management since 1999.
From 2014-16 he served as the President of the Drake Group and spoke passionately about reform in college athletics.
Gurney graduated cum laude from The Ohio State University in 1973 with a degree in English education. He earned his master's in student personnel work and counseling in 1976 from Ohio State and then earned his Ph.D. from Iowa State University in higher education administration in 1980.
The N4A leadership, its members and the NACDA National Office Staff are keeping the Gurney/Stuart family in their thoughts during this difficult time.
Remembering Dr. Gerald Gurney
"Some people change people's lives. Dr Gurney changed mine. He was a colleague, mentor and friend. A lot of people never understood his passion or comments at meetings. But once you got to know Gerry, you never questioned him or his statements. He was one of the most giving and kindhearted people I have ever met in life. If he liked you … he would give you his entire world!!! I honestly felt like a son to him. I will miss the times he put me out on the phone. I wish I had one more conversation with him just so I could hear his voice saying, 'Byrdman you are boring me…click!!!' RIP G-man!!! You were the best in the business!!!" -- Bart Byrd, N4A President 2012-13
"I am greatly saddened by the loss of Past President Dr. Gerald Gurney. He was a mentor, a friend, and true champion of others. Dr. Gurney was a strong advocate of both our profession and student-athletes. His research and work moved our profession forward, as he constantly challenged us all to think critically and work in the best interest of our students. His impact was far reaching, challenging many aspects of college athletics with the desire for betterment. He also worked tirelessly to elevate N4A throughout his career, and lift up our membership. His legacy will live on in those he mentored both through his academic work and athletic work. Rest in Peace Dr. Gurney, you will be dearly missed." -- Ursula Gurney, Deputy Athletics Director/SWA, UMKC, N4A President 2020-21
"I had the privilege of being the N4A Immediate Past President when Dr. Gurney served as the President. One of my roles was to provide guidance and mentorship as he transitioned into his new role, but I was the one that benefited from his knowledge and counsel. Dr. Gurney was one of the strongest advocates for athletic academics and academic reform. He will surely be missed. My prayers to his family, friends and all the people he impacted." -- Christine Jackson, Senior Associate AD-Student-Athlete Support Services, Mississippi State University, N4A President 2009-10
"Dr. Gurney orchestrated the partnership between N4A and NACDA. His vision and leadership for our entire organization can never be forgotten. I will never forget his passion for the academics of college athletics. No one could better express what was best or needed for student-athletes across the country than Dr. Gurney." -- Dr. Joe Luckey, Senior Associate Athletics Director/Student-Athlete Support Services, University of Cincinnati, N4A President 2011-12
"Dr. Gerald Gurney's legacy is cemented as a passionate advocate whose contributions to N4A are in the fiber of our Association's foundation. In his unique and authentic way, Gerry challenged me to be better and think differently. I am extremely grateful for how he inspired us and for his lasting impact on generations of leaders." -- Felicia Martin, Interim Senior Vice President of Inclusion, Education and Community Engagement, NCAA, N4A President 2017-18
About N4A: N4A, which has been in existence since 1975, is a diverse educational service and professional non-profit organization. Membership of N4A includes academic support and student services personnel who are committed to enhancing opportunities for academic, athletics and personal success for student-athletes. For more information on N4A, visit www.nfoura.org. N4A is administered by NACDA, which is in its 57th year. For more information on NACDA and the 17 professional associations that fall under its umbrella, please visit www.nacda.com.
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A Tribute to Gerald Gurney (1951-2022)
The Drake Group is saddened to report that Dr. Gerald Gurney, who served The Drake Group as its President from 2014 to 2016 and as a member of its Board of Directors for twelve years, passed away on February 23, 2022. We extend our deepest sympathies to his wife, Debra Stuart, and daughter Rachel.
In December of 2021, The Drake Group Service Award, established to recognize a member of The Drake Group “whose service and actions upholding and advancing the mission of the organization have been above and beyond expectations,” was renamed the Gerald Gurney Service Award, in his honor, and the award was bestowed upon Dr. Gurney as its first recipient. Representing The Drake Group, he testified before Congress, enabling the construction of federal legislation and igniting Congressional pressure to improve health protection and academic outcomes for college athletes.
A Professor Emeritus at the University of Oklahoma, Gerry educated generations of future athletics managers about critical issues in intercollegiate athletics. As a member of The Drake Group Education Working Committee, he co-authored over fifteen major position statements and numerous press statements on current issues in intercollegiate athletics, and with Drake Working Group colleagues, co-authored Unwinding Madness: What Went Wrong with College Sports and How to Fix It.
Nationally recognized as an expert on NCAA rules and academic metrics, he brought this unique knowledge to the service of The Drake Group and members of Congress. In appreciation and with the deepest respect and thanks, we salute Gerald Gurney as an extraordinary educator of profound personal integrity whose generous service has brought great distinction to the work and reputation of The Drake Group.
Gerald Gurney, Ph.D., was an Emeritus Professor of Adult and Higher Education at the University of Oklahoma (OU) where he taught and performed research in the subject areas of athletics in higher education, athletics academic reform and ethics in athletics. He was a regular commentary contributor in a number of national higher education trade journals. Gurney previously served as the Senior Associate Athletics Director at the University of Oklahoma from 1993-2011. He was in charge of OU’s student life center, academic services and sports medicine.
In 2007, Gurney chaired a joint NCAA/N4A task force on consulting to select and train consultants to visit NCAA member institutions needing assistance with improvement on Academic Performance Program results and academic support program assessment for NCAA
certification requirements.
The OU Athletics Department was awarded the prestigious 2007 PRISM Award for managerial excellence in student-athlete development and was cited for excellence in the creation of its Psychological Resources for OU Student-Athletes (PROS) in its academic services program. The department also was awarded the 2005 Innovations in Mental Health Award for psychological programs and services for student-athletes from the Mental Health Association for Oklahoma County. Oklahoma. In 2007, Gurney was recognized by the Oklahoma Psychological Association with a Distinguished Citizen citation.
In June 2006, he received the Lan Hewlett Award from the National Association of Academic Advisors for Athletics (N4A). The award is considered the top honor in the profession.
In 2005, Gurney received the Outstanding Adjunct Professor of the Year award in the Department of Educational Leadership and Policy Studies for his outstanding teaching in the department. In 2006, he received the Distinguished Service Award for his efforts in implementing a master’s degree program with an emphasis on intercollegiate athletics administration.
Gurney graduated cum laude from The Ohio State University in 1973 with a degree in English education. He earned his master’s in student personnel work and counseling in 1976 from Ohio State and then received his Ph.D. from Iowa State University in higher education administration in 1980.
He began his career in athletics as an academic counselor at Iowa State University (ISU). He left ISU to become assistant athletic director for academic affairs at Southern Methodist University before serving as associate athletics director for academic support and compliance at the University of Maryland. Later, as assistant to the provost, his duties focused on campus retention efforts and undergraduate academic advising.
He served on NCAA Certification teams which conduct peer reviews of institutional adherence
to operating principles for governance, equity and academic integrity since 1993. He was a member of the editorial review board for the International Journal of Sport Management since 1999.
He will be sorely missed by his friends and colleagues at The Drake Group.
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In 2007, Gurney chaired a joint NCAA/N4A task force on consulting to select and train consultants to visit NCAA member institutions needing assistance with improvement on Academic Performance Program results and academic support program assessment for NCAA certification requirements.
Cherie S. Lewis
I am very sad to hear this news. I have very good memories of him.
John M. Lader
My deepest condolences to Gerald's wife , daughter and family.
Gerald was one of those people you just instantly liked.
A big guy with an even a bigger heart. RIP my friend.