Let the Challenge Begin!!!

Well, here we go. I am beginning this blog to chronicle the development of the Athletic Department at California State University Channel Islands. The University is located in Camarillo, CA (Ventura County just west of Los Angeles, CA). Let take you back to the beginning. After nearly six years of working at Stanford University as the Assistant Athletic Director for Facilities, Operations and Events, On March 16, 2009 CSUCI officially announced my appointment as their first Athletic Director http://www.csuci.edu/news/releases/2009_CSUCI_Names_First_Athletic_Director.htm . From that day, I have been thinking and writing down all thoughts that I have had or have had after discussing my new challenge with family, friends, co-workers and fellow workers within the collegiate athletic world. To those who have offer suggestions and help, I say thank you. For those who haven't, there is still time.


I will not be able to develop this athletic department by myself. It will take meetings with students, faculty, staff, donors and administrators at CSUCI. It will take many, many conversations, emails, meetings, lunches, dinners, phone calls, sleepless nights and weekend work. It will take discussions with industries leaders. It will take discussions with friends and family. It will take a village and a community that want to see us succeed at the task that is ahead of us.


Many people have asked, "When will you start competition? What sports will you add? Do you have a staff? How will you recruit student-athletes? Do you have a strategic plan? When will you post job openings? What budget do you have to work with?... These are all great questions that have be presented to me. I will give you a quick breakdown of how I plan to attack this challenge over the next few months:


1. Meeting with Students and Faculty: With Commencement a little under two weeks ago, I will be meeting with a cross-section of students prior to them leaving for the summer. It is my hope that with these meetings, I will get a better understanding of what the students at CSUCI at looking for in an athletic program. I also hope to meet with members of the faculty here at CSUCI and to understand any concerns that they might have about the new athletic department. I hope to engage the faculty to understand how we will work together in developing this program.


2. Developing an plan of Action: Currently working on developing a five to seven year plan that will chart the course of building the CSUCI Athletic Department from number of sports to our mission statement to how we will interact with the local community. This plan will be our guiding light.


3. Staffing: Yes, I need a hire a staff. My first hire will be an administrative assistant to help get organized and keep me on track. Hope to have this position posted within the next three weeks. From there I will like to hire one or two of my senior staff. This all depends on our budget and what I have to spend over the next few weeks.


4. Meeting the community: If it my plan to get out and meet members of the local community. Whether its an local festival to a local service club or to local business leaders, I plan on being an active member of the community and marketing CSUCI Athletics to the community.


This is just the beginning of a long and challenging process that will be fun to be a part of and follow. It is my hope to update this blog at least once a week, most likely on the weekend. If there breaking, exciting news between my posts, I share that information with you as soon as I can. I welcome your feed back and comments as this blog grows and grows.