Warde Manuel
Warde Manuel
Donald R. Shepherd Director of Athletics
University of Michigan Athletic Department
Warde J. Manuel, Michigan's Donald R. Shepherd Director of Athletics since 2016, is a three-time alumnus with a Bachelor of General Studies degree in 1990, a Master's in Social Work in 1993, and an MBA from U-M's Stephen M. Ross School of Business in 2005. A former two-sport athlete, he played football under Bo Schembechler. Manuel has served on several prestigious committees, most recently the College Football Playoff Selection Committee beginning in 2022, and was named chair for 2024. He received the 2024 National Football Foundation's John L. Toner Award.