A former promotional products industry executive has been chosen to lead one of the most prominent collegiate sports programs in the country in the aftermath of a sweeping scandal. The University of Louisville has named Vincent Tyra – a one-time Broder CEO – as its acting director of athletics, replacing former AD Tom Jurich amid FBI allegations that at least four NCAA assistant basketball coaches and an Adidas executive conspired to funnel money to top recruits.

According to a federal criminal complaint, Louisville coaches conspired with Adidas to attempt to pay two recruits to attend the school. As a result of the investigation, head coach Rick Pitino has been replaced by David Padgett, and the employment status of assistant coaches Jordan Fair and Kenny Johnson remains unclear.

“Vince Tyra is an exceptional leader who will provide stability to our athletics department,” UofL Interim President Dr. Greg Postel said during a press conference on Tuesday. “His success in business, his athletic background and his close ties to the university and the athletics department will be important to the continuing success of our program.”

Image courtesy of ESPN.com

A Louisville native, the 51-year-old Tyra has an extensive business and sports background as well as deep roots in the Cardinals’ community. Although he was captain of the University of Kentucky baseball team, his father Charlie was the Louisville men’s basketball team’s first All-American and remains its all-time leading rebounder.

Top 40 supplier alphabroder (asi/34063) tweeted congratulations to Tyra on Tuesday – before the supplier rebranded, Tyra was the chief executive at Broder Bros. from 2000 to 2005 and served as the company’s director. He was also the president of retail and activewear at Fruit of the Loom (asi/84257).

“Vince’s business experience will be a great benefit to the University of Louisville’s athletic program,” Norm Hullinger, CEO of alphabroder, told Counselor. “He will provide great leadership to student athletes, coaches and the university, just as he did when he was president/CEO of Broder Bros. We wish Vince great success at Louisville.”

Currently, Tyra serves as chairman of the board of Elite Medical Staffing, a Florida-based medical recruiting firm; operating partner of Southfield Capital, a Connecticut-based private equity firm; corporate adviser for ISCO Industries, a Louisville-based piping equipment company; and board director for Industrial Services of America, a metal recycling business. He joined the University of Louisville Foundation’s board of directors in February, and now chairs the organization’s finance committee.

Additionally, he is part of the Skyball investment group, which owns a piece of Louisville City FC, the city’s professional soccer team. “I am excited by the challenge to lead one of the most elite athletic programs in college sports that’s near and dear to my heart,” Tyra said. “I intend to provide leadership to our athletic department, coaches, student-athletes, fans, donors and the university as a whole.”