New Colorado State AD Joe Parker Tasked With Overseeing Football Venue Construction
Texas Tech Deputy AD Joe Parker yesterday "was introduced" as Colorado State's 18th AD, filling a position that "has been open since Jack Graham was let go in August," according to Mike Brohard of the Loveland HERALD-REPORTER. Parker "officially takes over" April 6 and "will be paid $325,000 per year on his five-year contract" with CSU. Prior to being introduced by CSU President Tony Frank, Parker "met briefly with current members of the athletic department." Interim AD John Morris has held the role since August, but "will be leaving" to become Tufts Univ. AD. Parker said that the Deputy AD role previously held by Morris "may or may not be replaced." Parker added that he "wants to study the talents already on staff." In Parker's previous jobs, "all Power 5 institutions, he was able to generate revenue streams to fund major projects and improve athletic budgets." At CSU, Parker will have a $34.7M budget to cover 16 programs, but he "doesn't see that as a problem, stating that no matter the budget a department has to live within its means." He also noted that "doesn't have to remain a status-quo number." Meanwhile, Frank said that Parker "will be heavily involved" in cost-of-attendance talks, adding that if the CSU "decides to meet the full demand" -- an estimated cost of $700,000 -- "the budget will grow" (Loveland HERALD-REPORTER, 3/18).
NOT HIS FIRST RODEO: In Colorado, Kelly Lyell notes Parker in his four years at Texas Tech "led programs to boost the classroom success of student-athletes and led the development and recent launch" of a $185M fundraising campaign. He was on a four-member team at Michigan that was responsible for $400M worth of "capital improvements, including renovations and new revenue opportunities" at Michigan Stadium. At Oklahoma, he "provided leadership" for a $120M capital campaign for facility improvements, while also "designing and implementing" a premium seating plan that funded 70% of the renovation and expansion of Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. CSU is breaking ground this summer on a $220M on-campus stadium, and Parker "will play a key role in overseeing the construction and completion of that project" (Ft. Collins COLORADOAN, 3/18). Parker joins Air Force's James Knowlton and Fresno State's Jim Bartko as the other Mountain West ADs who have started since New Year's Day. Parker also joins UNLV's Tina Kunzer-Murphy as the only ADs in the conference to have lettered in swimming during their college days. The average tenure of the MWC's current ADs is 3.9 years, with New Mexico AD Paul Krebs as the most tenured, having taken over in June '06 (David Brougton, Research Director).
WARRIOR DASH: In Honolulu, Dave Reardon cites sources as saying that a Univ. of Hawaii search advisory committee yesterday "recommended" Hawaii Bowl and Diamond Head Classic Exec Dir Dave Matlin as the next AD. Matlin was the "top candidate among finalists interviewed by the committee." However, Chancellor Robert Bley-Vroman "might choose" Keith Amemiya -- "an insurance executive" and former Hawaii High School Athletic Association Exec Dir. Bley-Vroman can "take the committee's recommendation, or make a choice of his own" (HONOLULU STAR-ADVERTISER, 3/18).
