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Jun. 29—GRAND FORKS — UND athletic director Bill Chaves has signed a three-year contract to remain in his position through the 2028-29 athletics season.
Chaves' new deal, which was signed by UND President Andrew Armacost on June 24, runs from July 1, 2026, to June 30, 2029. The base salary is $261,774.
Chaves, who came to UND from Eastern Washington in 2018, last signed a contract in 2022 — a four-year deal ending this spring.
The base salary of that deal was $221,150.
"I am proud to announce that Bill Chaves will continue to serve as our UND Director of Athletics for at least three more years," said Armacost in a statement. "Even with the extraordinary change happening in NCAA sports, Bill has maintained his fundamental commitment to our student-athletes and their development in their sports, in the classroom and in the community. He has been an important strategic voice both on our campus and across the NCAA and our three conferences. I am proud to have him as a trusted colleague and as a critical leader for our great university."
Chaves' department oversaw coaching changes the last couple of years with its highest-profile sports — men's hockey and football.
The football program, under head coach Eric Schmidt, is coming off a winning season, an FCS Playoff berth and the program's first road playoff win at Tennessee Tech.
The men's hockey program, under head coach Dane Jackson, is coming off a Frozen Four appearance in Las Vegas and recently placed eight players (on current roster or committed) in the 2026 NHL Draft, the most since 1984.
Beyond football and men's hockey, coaching change has been a theme for the department the last couple of years.
Volleyball coach David Nguyen was hired in late December after the school parted ways with Jesse Tupac.
The women's basketball program is entering Year 2 under head coach Dennis Hutter, who took over for Mallory Bernhard, who resigned in March 2025.
The soccer program is also entering Year 2 under head coach Henrik Sohn, who took over in January of 2025.
UND celebrated the opening of the Nodak Insurance Company Sports Performance Center in September of 2025, tying together a larger football facility overhaul that includes Memorial Village and the Pollard Center.
In 2024, UND unveiled Albrecht Field as the on-campus home to UND's softball program.
In April of 2026, Chaves announced UND will cut men's and women's tennis, citing the changing landscape of NCAA athletics.
"My family and I are incredibly grateful to President Armacost and the University of North Dakota community for their trust and support to continue as the Director of Athletics," said Chaves. "Serving UND over the past eight years has been one of the greatest privileges of our lives. During that time, we have navigated unprecedented challenges, including the COVID-19 pandemic and currently what has arguably been the most transformative and tumultuous period in Division I athletics history. Through it all, the resilience, commitment and pride of our student-athletes, coaches, staff, alumni and supporters have inspired us every day. UND is a special place, and we are proud to call Grand Forks home. Together, we have achieved significant milestones while continuing to position Fighting Hawks Athletics and UND for long-term success in an ever-changing collegiate landscape. I am deeply appreciative of the opportunity to continue this work and remain committed to advancing our mission of excellence in competition, the classroom and the community."
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Chaves' new deal, which was signed by UND President Andrew Armacost on June 24, runs from July 1, 2026, to June 30, 2029. The base salary is $261,774.
Chaves, who came to UND from Eastern Washington in 2018, last signed a contract in 2022 — a four-year deal ending this spring.
The base salary of that deal was $221,150.
"I am proud to announce that Bill Chaves will continue to serve as our UND Director of Athletics for at least three more years," said Armacost in a statement. "Even with the extraordinary change happening in NCAA sports, Bill has maintained his fundamental commitment to our student-athletes and their development in their sports, in the classroom and in the community. He has been an important strategic voice both on our campus and across the NCAA and our three conferences. I am proud to have him as a trusted colleague and as a critical leader for our great university."
Chaves' department oversaw coaching changes the last couple of years with its highest-profile sports — men's hockey and football.
The football program, under head coach Eric Schmidt, is coming off a winning season, an FCS Playoff berth and the program's first road playoff win at Tennessee Tech.
The men's hockey program, under head coach Dane Jackson, is coming off a Frozen Four appearance in Las Vegas and recently placed eight players (on current roster or committed) in the 2026 NHL Draft, the most since 1984.
Beyond football and men's hockey, coaching change has been a theme for the department the last couple of years.
Volleyball coach David Nguyen was hired in late December after the school parted ways with Jesse Tupac.
The women's basketball program is entering Year 2 under head coach Dennis Hutter, who took over for Mallory Bernhard, who resigned in March 2025.
The soccer program is also entering Year 2 under head coach Henrik Sohn, who took over in January of 2025.
UND celebrated the opening of the Nodak Insurance Company Sports Performance Center in September of 2025, tying together a larger football facility overhaul that includes Memorial Village and the Pollard Center.
In 2024, UND unveiled Albrecht Field as the on-campus home to UND's softball program.
In April of 2026, Chaves announced UND will cut men's and women's tennis, citing the changing landscape of NCAA athletics.
"My family and I are incredibly grateful to President Armacost and the University of North Dakota community for their trust and support to continue as the Director of Athletics," said Chaves. "Serving UND over the past eight years has been one of the greatest privileges of our lives. During that time, we have navigated unprecedented challenges, including the COVID-19 pandemic and currently what has arguably been the most transformative and tumultuous period in Division I athletics history. Through it all, the resilience, commitment and pride of our student-athletes, coaches, staff, alumni and supporters have inspired us every day. UND is a special place, and we are proud to call Grand Forks home. Together, we have achieved significant milestones while continuing to position Fighting Hawks Athletics and UND for long-term success in an ever-changing collegiate landscape. I am deeply appreciative of the opportunity to continue this work and remain committed to advancing our mission of excellence in competition, the classroom and the community."
Continue reading...
