Athletics Features New Leadership, New Alliances

John Sung, NSU’s new interim director of athletics, says NSU sports fans have a lot to be excited about as the academic year begins.

“Athletics are an exciting part of the NSU spirit,” he said. “It unites our community of faculty, staff, students, alumni, and our community neighbors as one family, which makes Shark Nation the exciting community it is.”

Sung said NSU is building on years of championships and dedication.

“This promises to be a thrilling season with new facilities, new partners, new players joining our teams,” he said.

This month, NSU sports teams and fans will enjoy a revamped soccer stadium that will increase its fan capacity from 2,000 to 7,000 seats. The renovations come courtesy of an arrangement with Fort Lauderdale United FC, a new women’s professional soccer team. The team will be leasing the field while sharing it with NSU.

“They scheduled their home games around NSU’s schedule,” said Sung, who is also NSU’s former associate director for external operations. “It’s going to be like an outdoor Rick Case Arena.”

NSU softball also will be getting a new field, Sung said.

The men’s basketball team, which has been on a tear the past few years, will keep the action alive with a couple surprise reunions. Returning to the lineup is national champion point guard Dallas Graziani after a year at Samford University in Alabama. Also returning, as an assistant coach, is former NSU sensation and national champion R.J. Sunahara.

“The team has been putting in the work,” Sung said. “I’m really excited about this next group.”

Sung replaced Michael Mominey, who resigned Aug. 5 as director of athletics and associate vice president after 24 years of leadership. Mominey left NSU to pursue other opportunities in intercollegiate athletics.

During Mominey’s career as athletic director (2002-24), the Sharks won an unprecedented 13 NCAA Division II national championships in seven sports since the program’s transition into the NCAA in 2002.

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