New athletic director Josh Whitman hasn’t even been on the job for three months, and he’s already the longest-tenured member of the Department of Athletics’ administrative team.

Nearly four decades after taking control of Washington University’s middling athletic department, Director of Athletics John Schael will leave his post with the program now consistently ranked as one of the best in the country.

The Washington University football team found a new home on Tuesday morning, as it was announced that beginning in the fall of 2015, the Bears would play in the newly formed Southern Athletic Association.

In an interview with Student Life on Dec. 10, Athletic Director John Schael acknowledged that internal discussions continue about building a new athletic complex to better serve campus.

John Schael has been Washington University’s athletic director for 33 years, and in his time overseeing the department, Wash. U. has won 139 University Athletic Association (UAA) titles and all 18 of its national championships. After a notably successful fall season for Bear sports, Student Life sat down with Schael to discuss these recent achievements and the state of Wash. U. athletics

With the vice presidential debate set to consume campus on October 2, the Washington University Athletic Center will be closing on September 25 to set up for the debate. Normal hours will resume on Monday October 6, but the University has made alternative arrangements for students to exercise.