Following his 36th year at the helm of the Washington University athletic department, Athletic Director John Schael will retire, the University announced Tuesday morning.

Schael came to the University in 1978 following 11 years at the University of Chicago, which included five years as the associate director of physical education and athletics. Since his arrival, the Bears have won 19 national championships, 162 University Athletic Association titles and 5,582 total games, good for a 70.4 percent winning percentage.

No announcement has been made regarding the search for Schael’s successor.

Check Thursday’s issue of Student Life for more information.