Mike Wadsworth N.D. Athletic Director

Mike Wadsworth was athletic director at Notre Dame between 1995 and 2000. During Wadsworth's tenure, Notre Dame made its debut in the Big East conference, Notre Dame Stadium expanded by 20,000 seats and he played a major role in negotiating Notre Dame's television contract with NBC Sports for all home games.

Wadsworth also helped negotiate Notre Dame's role in the Bowl Championship Series for football. The Irish sports program was ranked No. 3 by The Sporting News, which ranked schools on categories ranging from on-field performance to academic excellence.

Never a stranger to controversy, Wadsworth fired Lou Holtz and hired defensive coach Bob Davie who proved to be a bust. By the time he resigned in February 2000 Wadsworth had pretty much overstayed his welcome at the Golden Dome.

But Wadsworth's life was not limited to athletics. The Toronto native worked in government, law, broadcasting and politics as well. Following his departure from Notre Dame, Wadsworth worked as an arbitrator and mediator for a Canadian-based law firm, Stitt, Feld, Handy & Houston. From 1971-81, Wadsworth practiced law, while also pursuing a career in media. He was a sports columnist for a time and broadcast games on television and for radio.

He became vice president for administration at the Tyco Co. in 1981 and completed the advanced management program at Harvard Law School in 1985. Wadsworth was also appointed as Canada's ambassador to Ireland in 1989.

Wadsworth graduated from Notre Dame in 1966 with a degree in political science and played football for the Irish and professional football in the Canadian Football League for five years, earning rookie of the year honors during his first season on the Toronto Argonauts.

Wadsworth died April 28, 2004 at the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota. He was 60.