University of Maine Director of Athletics Karlton Creech will leave Orono to become the vice chancellor for athletics and recreation at the University of Denver, UMaine announced Monday.

Karlton Creech has served as athletic director at the University of Maine for four years. He is leaving to take a post at the University of Denver. (Michael C. York photo)

Creech has been the AD at Maine since February 2014. He served previously in athletic administrations at the University of North Carolina and North Carolina State.

“I’d like to thank the University of Maine for the incredible opportunity to serve as director of athletics,” Creech said in a press release. “My years in Orono have been some of the most rewarding of my career and I look forward to following the continued success of the Black Bears.”

An interim AD will be named and a national search will be launched to fill the position, according to University of Maine President Susan J. Hunter.

“We understand that this is an opportunity for Karlton to take his talents to a new level of athletics leadership, and we wish him well,” Hunter said in the release. “The University of Maine takes seriously its role as the state’s only Division I program, and its responsibilities to Black Bear fans near and far.

“We will build on the leadership and fundraising that have effectively advanced UMaine Athletics in the last four years, and will continue to dedicate ourselves to excellence in athletics leadership that will best serve Maine.”

Creech begins his new position on May 1.