May 31, 2007

IRVINE, Calif. --- Bob Chichester, UC Irvine's Director of Athletics and Campus Recreation for the past five years, has announced that he is resigning, effective in August.

"After much thought, reflection and consideration with my family, I have made this decision for personal and professional reasons," he said.

Chichester was named UCI's athletic director in September 2002 after serving three years as senior associate athletic director at the University of Colorado. He also held positions at Colorado as associate athletic director for administration and academic affairs, and associate university counsel.

At UCI, Chichester has overseen an intercollegiate athletics program that collected its first NCAA men's volleyball national championship this year and has captured 11 conference team titles in the last five years, including men's swimming and diving, men's volleyball, men's and women's golf, and women's tennis (regular-season champion), this year.

This spring, in addition to men's volleyball, the baseball team opens NCAA-regional play tomorrow, women's golf advanced to the NCAA Finals, men's golf competed in the NCAA West Regional, women's tennis made its first-ever NCAA Tournament appearance, eight student-athletes competed at the NCAA Track & Field West Regional and the women's sailing team finished sixth at the national championship.

During his tenure, facilities' enhancements for UCI Athletics have included construction of the $2.4 million Newkirk Pavilion as Phase II at Anteater Ballpark. Academically, 843 UCI student-athletes have been honored as Big West Scholar-Athletes over the past five years.

"I have greatly appreciated the opportunity to be part of many accomplishments by the Athletic Department, some of which were achieved for the first time in the department's history," Chichester said. "The accomplishments have been broad-based, including areas of student-athlete academic success, athletic success and historical levels of fund raising.

"I am also appreciative and blessed by the opportunity to work with terrific young men and women who participate as student-athletes, and with staff members within the Athletic Department, along with supportive community members, who are dedicated and passionate about their work and contributions to the programs and the University," he added.

UCI Chancellor Michael V. Drake indicated that a national search will be initiated for the position and an interim athletic director will be named in the near future.