A Quarter-Century of Naval Excellence Comes to an End

Annapolis, MD – The United States Naval Academy announced today the retirement of Chet Gladchuk, its transformative athletic director who forged Navy's golden era across 24 years of service. The second-longest tenured AD in FBS history will step down after cementing Navy as one of the nation's most respected collegiate athletics programs.

The Gladchuk Legacy by the Numbers

• 4 National Championships
• 251 Conference Titles
• 12 Commander-in-Chief's Trophies
• 352 All-Americans Developed
• 139 Academic All-Americans
• 16 Bowl Game Appearances
• 36 Varsity Sports Added (T-most in FBS)

Program-Shaping Milestones

Gladchuk's visionary leadership included:

• Historic Conference Move: Ended Navy's 134-year football independence by joining the American Athletic Conference in 2015
• Facility Modernization: Spearheaded multiple capital projects to upgrade athletic infrastructure
• Academic-Athletic Balance: Maintained Navy's unique dual emphasis on scholarly and competitive excellence

"Our association has been our passion," Gladchuk said in an emotional statement. "To have served these future leaders while pursuing athletic excellence has been the honor of our lifetimes."

The Transition Plan

The Naval Academy Athletic Association will conduct a national search for Gladchuk's successor. As Navy Superintendent Vice Adm. Yvette Davids noted: "The Academy is positioned extremely well for the future thanks to Chet's tireless commitment to our physical mission."

Lasting Impact

Analysts regard Gladchuk's tenure as setting new standards for:

1. Service academy athletics
2. Conference realignment strategy
3. Holistic student-athlete development
4. Program financial stability

With Navy athletics standing as a model of sustained success, Gladchuk's retirement marks the end of one of NCAAF's most impactful administrative careers.