Scott Woodward Season 2019-20

In April of 2019 in his hometown of Baton Rouge and on the grounds of his alma mater, Scott Woodward was announced as LSU’s athletics director. Woodward has since reenergized the LSU family and set a vision for championships and an unwavering commitment to the student-athlete. 

“This state and university has been a part of my life for more than five decades, and I know and I embrace the high expectations of Tiger Nation. We will win championships and we will do it the right way, representing LSU with pride and dignity every step of the way,” said Woodward at his announcement.

Early in his tenure at LSU, Woodward has made clear his commitment to the wellbeing of the student-athlete and has added a senior associate of student-athlete health and wellness to his executive staff. Woodward’s is a mind, body and spirit approach with the long-term physical and mental health of student-athletes in mind. 

“When you come to LSU, the entirety of who you are as a human being is going to be cared for, not just your performance on a field of play,” said Woodward at the opening of the Performance Nutrition Center for LSU student-athletes. 

Woodward emphasizes academic performance and post-graduate opportunities for student-athletes. His approach is to ensure student-athletes leave campus with a world-class education and real-life skills in order to excel in their chosen field. 

Woodward’s support of the student-athlete does not stop after graduation, however. Working to increase post-graduate career opportunities is a central component of Woodward’s approach in order to help bridge the gap from being a student-athlete to a first full-time job.  

Along with his commitment to the student-athlete, Woodward has set a course for championships in all sports at LSU as he has done throughout his career.

As athletics director at Texas A&M university, where Woodward served for four years before his appointment at LSU, every sports program participated in postseason play and the Aggies won nine SEC titles. As athletics director at Washington from 2008-2015, the Husky athletics programs flourished under his leadership capturing seven national championships and multiple conference titles. The Husky football program returned to the postseason in 2010 for the first time since 2001 and made five straight bowl appearances. The men’s basketball program won the 2012 PAC-12 regular season championship, 2011 and 2010 PAC-10 Conference Tournament Championships and reached the NCAA’s Sweet Sixteen in 2010. Woodward garnered wide acclaim in 2013 for hiring current head football coach Chris Peterson, who led the UW football team to the College Football Playoff in 2016.

Woodward’s accomplishments earned him a nomination by the Sports Business Journal for the prestigious Athletic Director of the Year Award in March of 2014.

Along with an unwavering commitment to the student-athlete and a vision for championships, Woodward has demonstrated a remarkable ability to galvanize fans and supporters around visionary fundraising goals. Those improvements included a $28.6 million softball facility and $39.8 million for a new outdoor track and field stadium at Texas A&M. Fundraising set all-time records under Woodward’s leadership at Washington and improvements included a $280 million renovation of Husky Stadium.

Before being named director of athletics, Woodward served as Vice Chancellor of External Affairs at Washington from 2004-2008. Acting as the liaison between the university and government and corporate officials, he advised then-Chancellor Mark Emmert on policy and government appropriations. 

From 2000-2004, Woodward served as the Director of External Affairs at LSU. Woodward helped lead the university to unprecedented economic growth, paving the way for its move from a Tier II to Tier I research institution. Woodward also served as the Chancellor’s representative to the athletics department. During his time with the Tigers, the school celebrated 10 NCAA national championships, including one in football in 2003.

After serving as a political consultant and legislative liaison in Baton Rouge, Woodward founded a government and public relations firm in the mid-1990s, providing strategic policy direction to Fortune 500 corporations, including clients in the education, insurance and oil industries.  He also worked on behalf of the Louisiana Nature Conservancy and the New Orleans Center for Creative Arts, as well as served on the Board of Directors of the Baton Rouge Food Bank.

Woodward earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from LSU in 1985.  He is married to Nanette Dicharry and has two adult sons, Michael and Josh Evans.