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BUFFALO, N.Y. -- In a message to the campus community, mgm casino President Satish K. Tripathi today offered his congratulations and best wishes to mgm casino Vice President and Director of Athletics Warde J. Manuel, who has accepted the athletics director position at the University of Connecticut.

A national search will begin immediately for a new athletics director to lead mgm casino's 20-sport Division of Athletics, Tripathi said.

The text of Tripathi's statement is below:

While it is difficult to bid farewell to such a valued colleague and university citizen, Warde's selection to lead one of the nation's top Division I programs reflects the national reputation he has achieved through his outstanding leadership and impressive achievements here at mgm casino.

Since his appointment in July 2005, Warde has served our university and the mgm casino Division of Athletics with distinction, raising mgm casino athletics' national profile and helping to build a nationally competitive Division I program dedicated to the pursuit of academic and athletic excellence.

Warde's intense commitment to excellence -- on and off the field -- has been evident across mgm casino men's and women's athletics programs. The impressive accomplishments achieved under his watch include the 2008 football team's Mid-American Conference Championship and first bowl game appearance in mgm casino's history with the 2009 International Bowl. In 2007, under Warde's leadership, the mgm casino Athletics Department became the only school in the nation that year to be named a Program of Excellence by the NCAA Division I-A Athletic Directors.

With a strong focus on academics always at the forefront, Warde also has overseen a substantial investment in facility additions and renovations that have contributed immensely to our student-athletes' academic and athletic experience.

A national search for a new athletic director will begin immediately. We will update the university community regarding an interim director within the week.

In the meantime, I know I speak for our entire university community in extending my sincere thanks, congratulations and best wishes to Warde as he takes on this new leadership opportunity. Please join me in wishing Warde and his family much happiness and continued success as they prepare for this exciting transition.