Derek van der Merwe Promoted to Senior Associate AD
8/25/2005 12:00:00 AM | General
Aug. 25, 2005
MOUNT PLEASANT - Central Michigan University Athletics Director Herb Deromedi has announced the promotion of Derek van der Merwe to Senior Associate Athletics Director/Business and Compliance.
van der Merwe has been an Associate AD in charge of compliance since 2002. In his new role he will continue oversight of compliance but will also handle the business operations aspect of the athletics department.
"Because of the type of administrator and team player Derek is, we've been able to give him more and more responsibilities over the course of time," Deromedi said. "He is an integral part of our administrative team and that is now signified by his 'senior' recognition."
van der Merwe began as an academic adviser in the Chippewa Athletics Department from 1997 before moving into the compliance coordinator position in 1998. He was promoted to director of compliance in 1999 and assumed an Assistant AD position in 2001 .
van der Merwe was a Chippewa football player from 1991-95, helping the Chippewas to the Mid-American Conference title in 1994. He started his career as a defensive lineman but moved to the offensive side of the ball later in his career. He was named Academic All-MAC in 1995.
van der Merwe earned both a bachelor's degree and a master's degree from CMU.
Derek was born in South Africa and immigrated to the United States in 1980. van der Merwe and his wife, Amy, a former Chippewa softball player, have three children --Emily (6), Lauren (3) and Ian (1).