UNLV has extended its faith in athletic director Erick Harper.

The university on Tuesday announced a four-year contract extension for Harper, who has run the athletics department since Jan. 2022.

Prior to that, Harper was interim athletics director from August 2021 to the end of that calendar year after serving nine years as the school’s senior associate athletics director for development.

“UNLV is a special place, and I am grateful to Interim President (Chris) Heavey for his confidence and support,” Harper said. “The progress we have made is the result of the work of our student-athletes, coaches, staff, donors, alumni, fans, and campus partners.…