Butler is losing an associate athletic director to a New York university.

Tom Crowley, Butler’s current associate athletic director of internal operations, was named athletic director for the Niagara Purple Eagles last week.

“His experience as an administrator, fundraiser and coach will play a critical role in the continued success of our athletics department,” the Rev. Joseph Levesque, president of Niagara University, said.

Crowley said he became aware of the opening this past summer and decided it was an opportunity he could not pass up.

“It has always been a dream to be a Division I AD,” Crowley said. “This is just a great match for me.”

In his position at Butler, Crowley was responsible for the day-to-day, nuts-and-bolts responsibilities of the athletics department.

“He has had such a hand in the strategic planning of our department,” Butler Athletic Director Barry Collier said. “He is definitely leaving a void to be filled.”

At this point, Collier said he is not sure exactly how the position will be filled but hopes to have a plan in place within the next week to 10 days.

“One thing is for sure: that the day-to-day operations have to continue in order for us to function efficiently,” Collier said. “Virtually everyone in our department will be stepping up to make sure the transition is smooth.”

Options going forward include naming an interim associate athletic director—whether that is internally or through outside hiring—or just having everyone pick up extra duties within the department.

Crowley will be starting at his new position in the next month.

“It’s bittersweet,” Crowley said. “I’ve cherished my time at Butler, but I am excited and ready for this opportunity.”