Utah State University could pay former athletics director John Hartwell up to $750,000 as part of his severance agreement.
Hartwell, who announced his resignation from his position this week, would be paid in monthly installments between Dec. 1, 2022, and Dec. 31, 2024, according to a copy of the agreement obtained by The Salt Lake Tribune. However, that amount would be offset dollar for dollar by the salary of Hartwell’s next job.
Hartwell’s base salary for next year was set to be $557,500. He had been USU’s athletics director since 2015. His separation agreement was dated Oct. 31.
On Wednesday, the university named Jerry Bovee interim athletics director.
Bovee was serving as USU’s associate vice president and deputy athletics director for external affairs. He previously worked as the athletics director at Weber State.
“We are fortunate to have someone of Jerry’s caliber to seamlessly transition our athletic department,” university president Noelle E. Cockett said in a statement. “There is no one better prepared to provide the needed leadership and stability as we move to the next chapter in Aggie Athletics.”
Bovee will assume all of Hartwell’s previous duties as a national search begins for a permanent hire. He’s been with the USU athletic department for the past four years, and been involved in initiatives such as the Big Blue Scholarship Fund and Aggies Unlimited.
“I intend to continue the trajectory of excellence at Utah State,” Bovee said in a statement. “This is my alma mater and I’m proud to be an Aggie. We intend to work tirelessly to bring Aggies together in assisting our student-athletes, coaches and staff continued success on the courts and fields of competition, and in the classroom.”
