Del Conte named TCU's seventh Athletics Director
Known as a prolific fund-raiser, he had been Rice University's AD since June 2006.
by Rick Waters '95
Chris Del Conte was introduced Oct. 21 as TCU's seventh athletics director.
TCU introduced Chris Del Conte as the school’s seventh athletics director Wednesday afternoon in the Dutch Meyer Athletics Complex.
Del Conte, who has been the athletics director at Rice since June 2006, will start his new post in early November.
“I am thrilled to be appointed TCU’s athletics director,” said Del
Conte. “Athletics plays a vital role in the entire university
experience and as such, it must remain an integral part of TCU’s
strategic direction. Doing so enhances and supports not only the
student-athlete experience but also the collegiate experience of all
TCU students. This program enjoys invaluable community involvement and
support, has a history of excellence steeped in tradition and continues
building its reputation on a national level. I look forward to carrying
forward the great momentum that is clearly visible throughout the TCU
athletic program.”
TCU
chancellor Victor Boschini made the final decision along with Rick
Wittenbraker, TCU chair of the collegiate athletic committee with the
board of trustees.
“We conducted a thorough national search, reviewed numerous résumés
and ultimately found a stellar professional with the expertise and
background to continue guiding our athletic program toward excellence,”
said TCU Chancellor Victor J. Boschini, Jr. “Christopher has extensive
experience and proven ability in collegiate athletics and academic
administration. He has successfully served in leadership positions in
athletic programs throughout the country and guided the development of
strategic partnerships, negotiated and managed key contracts, advanced
student-athlete academic achievement, and ensured that athletics
remained integrated with the strategic direction of each university he
served.”
Del Conte replaces Danny Morrison, who left to become the Carolina Panther’s president Sept. 28.
Del
Conte was previously an associate athletic director at Arizona from
1999 where he oversaw all aspects of athletic fund development.
At Rice, Del Conte had responsibility for 16 intercollegiate programs, 350
student-athletes, along with coaches and staff. He
designed, developed and managed the Rice Vision for the Second Century
Campaign, which has raised over $90 million to date. He secured
significant funds to build athletic facilities such as the Tudor
Fieldhouse and Youngkin Center for Student Athlete Excellence, and also
raised $4 million for upgrades to the football stadium. He also
secured a marketing sponsorship and broadcast rights contract for Rice
and maintained a focus on student-athlete academic achievement,
resulting in numerous public recognition awards from the NCAA for the
academic progress rate of student-athletes.
One
of the main objectives for the new AD will be to help raise funds for
renovations to Amon G. Carter Stadium and the proposed complex for Olympic sports, Boschini said.
In 2002 at
Arizona, Del Conte’s responsibilities were expanded to include
overseeing the ticket office, marketing, corporate sales and trademarks
and licensing, according to his biography on the Rice athletic
department Web site.
He spearheaded a capital campaign called Campaign Arizona for the Student-Athlete which raised more than $120 million.
He was named a senior associate AD in 2003 where he oversaw media relations, business operations and external affairs.
Del
Conte has a master's degree in education administration from Washington
State where he served as assistant AD for external operations before
going to Arizona.
He earned his bachelor degree in sociology
from California-Santa Barbara. Del Conte and his wife, Robin Ward, have
two daughters.