The University of Saskatchewan Huskies have a new leader.

Shawn Burt has been named as Chief Athletics Officer for Huskies Athletics.

"I am absolutely thrilled to join the Huskie Athletics team at a time when the commitment to success is so evident," Burt said in a news release. "It's a strong academic institution with a well-known legacy in sport — that combination is rare, and it is the perfect setting for us to take things to the next level."

Burt takes the reins from long-serving athletics director Basil Houghton, who retired last month.

Most recently, Burt worked at the Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation in Toronto, where he built the Road Hockey to Conquer Cancer program, a celebrity-studded tournament that raised $16 million over six years.

"Shawn's extensive experience and success across athlete promotion, sponsorship, fundraising, ticket sales, marketing, and brand building platforms were key assets the board was looking for," said Huskies Athletics board chair David Dubé. "He knows what student-athletes need to be successful, he has a proven ability to create community connections, and he has worked with some of the most successful sports marketing organizations in Canada."

Burt also played four years of varsity hockey at Dartmouth College, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree.

He will start his job in September.