FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (January 27, 2026) — Uri Farkas is stepping down as Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics at Northern Arizona University, the university announced Monday.
Farkas, who has served in the role for the past 12 months, will leave his position after nearly eight years with NAU, citing a need to focus on his family’s well-being and his own health.
- Uri Farkas is leaving his position as NAU’s Athletic Director after one year.
- Farkas cited personal and family health reasons for his departure.
- During his tenure, NAU Athletics achieved a record fundraising year exceeding $4 million.
- NAU President José Luis Cruz Rivera praised Farkas’s dedication to the university and its athletes.
Farkas assumed the role of Athletic Director on an interim basis in March 2025 following the retirement of Mike Marlow, and was formally appointed Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics on June 30, 2025, according to the university.
He initially joined NAU Athletics in 2018 as Deputy Athletic Director under Marlow, where he focused on fundraising, revenue generation, and preparing for changes in collegiate athletics revenue sharing.
“I will always be a strong advocate and supporter of Lumberjack Athletics and Northern Arizona University,” Farkas said in a statement. “At this time, I need to step away and focus on my physical and mental health, as well as the overall well-being of my family. They have been my number one supporters, and I look forward to spending more time with them as I explore my next opportunity.”
NAU President José Luis Cruz Rivera lauded Farkas’s contributions to the university. “Uri Farkas has been a dedicated champion for Northern Arizona University and Lumberjack Athletics,” Rivera said. “His leadership and unwavering commitment to our student-athletes, the university, and greater Flagstaff community has strengthened NAU in lasting ways and helped build a strong foundation for the future. I am grateful for his service and wish Uri and his family the very best in their next chapter.”
Under Farkas’s leadership, NAU Athletics recorded its highest single-year fundraising total, exceeding $4 million. The department also saw 11 conference championships during his time as Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics, and a total of 73 conference titles and five national championships throughout his overall tenure at the university.
Farkas oversaw successful head coaching searches for the football and women’s basketball programs and guided the department to academic achievements, including a 994 APR and a fall term GPA of 3.39, the highest fall GPA on record for NAU Athletics.
Why It Matters
Farkas’s departure comes at a pivotal moment for college athletics, as universities navigate the evolving landscape of name, image, and likeness (NIL) deals and conference realignment. His focus on revenue generation and proactive preparation for these changes positioned NAU Athletics for potential success, and his successor will need to build on that foundation. The university’s recent fundraising success under Farkas demonstrates a growing commitment to athletics, and maintaining that momentum will be crucial for the Lumberjacks’ continued competitiveness.
