Northwestern University has hired Mike Polisky as its newest athletic director—a move considered controversial by the school's alumni and campus leaders, The Chicago Tribune reported.

According to the school's website, Polisky's official title is the Combe Family Vice President for Athletics and Recreation.

Six female faculty members sent an open letter to Provost Kathleen Hagerty demanding greater transparency, and they're planning a May 7 march from the campus to President Morton Schapiro's home to express opposition to the decision to hire Polisky.

"We are alarmed by this decision and, indeed, embarrassed on behalf of the university," the letter signed by the six faculty members read, in part.

Polisky—who had been Northwestern's deputy athletic director for external affairs since 2010—is part of an ongoing investigation by a university-hired law firm and is one of four defendants, along with the university, in a lawsuit filed by a cheerleader who said she and others were sexually exploited and harassed.

Northwestern plans to hold a news conference to formally introduce Polisky early next week.

The university website says that, prior to joining Northwestern, Polisky was president and general manager of the Arena Football League's Chicago Rush for eight seasons. He also was president of business operations for the American Hockey League's Chicago Wolves.

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