Dec. 17, 2007

IRVINE, Calif. --- Michael Izzi, associate athletic director for sports administration and development at Stanford University, has been named director of intercollegiate athletics at the University of California, Irvine, effective January 1, 2008.

Izzi, 47, will be responsible for the overall management of UCI's 23-sport intercollegiate athletics program and the Bren Events Center.

"I am thrilled that we have recruited Mike Izzi to be our new athletics director," said Chancellor Michael Drake. "The strengths of our campus and athletic programs are well suited to his abilities, and his experience at one of the premier academic athletics programs in the nation makes him an ideal choice to lead Anteater athletics forward. It's a great match."

In his 16 years at Stanford, Izzi was the primary supervisor for several sports and developed and implemented fund-raising and annual giving strategies, including coordinating fundraising efforts for capital projects such as the $90 million renovation of Stanford Stadium.

"I am privileged and honored to be named the new athletics director at UC Irvine and very excited about becoming part of the Irvine family," Izzi said. "I am very impressed by UC Irvine's support for its student-athletes - in both the academic and athletic arenas - and by the level of alumni and community participation, which I am eager to enhance.

"I look forward to building upon the current foundation to attain the highest possible level of success."

David Snow, chair of the search committee, said that a number of outstanding applications for the committee were reviewed.

"Mike Izzi was one of the four finalists interviewed and he rose to the top because of his extensive experience and demonstrated competence in community outreach and development at Stanford," he said.

Izzi received his bachelor's in sociology from UCLA in 1984. He competed in track and field for the Bruins and ranks fifth all-time at UCLA in the javelin throw with a mark of 251-11 set in 1983.

Izzi has two sons, Weston (13) and Conrad (7), and a daughter, McKenna (10).

At UCI, Izzi replaces Bob Chichester, who resigned Aug. 1. Paula Smith, associate athletic director/senior woman administrator, has served as interim director.

Izzi will receive an annual base salary of $190,000. Additional details about the total compensation package are available online at: http://www.universityofcalifornia.edu/news/compensation/interimsalaries1207_izzi.pdf