Former University of Michigan Athletic Director Joe Roberson has passed away, the school announced on Tuesday. He was 84.

Roberson was the eighth athletic director at the University of Michigan, serving in the role from 1994-97 before his retirement. Before his time in the athletics department, Roberson served the school in various roles for nearly three decades.

He was a professor of education, a vice chancellor and interim chancellor at the University of Michigan-Flint. When he came to Ann Arbor, he served as the head of corporate fundraising and associate vice president and executive director of Campaign for Michigan.

While Roberson was the athletic director, Michigan claimed 17 B1G titles and two national championships.

Current AD Warde Manuel issued a statement on Roberson’s passing:

“The loss of Joe Roberson marks an especially sad day for me. Joe hired me here at the University of Michigan when I returned to Ann Arbor to get my doctorate,” Manuel said in a release. “He could be considered my first major mentor. He believed in the student-athlete model with ‘student’ as the most important factor in participation. When Joe spoke, he did not mince words; he was straightforward and fair. Michigan is grateful for his service and so am I. He will be missed by me and by many.”