CHUCK BELL
Chuck Bell was appointed as the San Jose State University director of athletics in February 1998. A contract extension in 2001 gives him the reins of the school's athletics program through June 2005. His determination, enthusiasm and energy combined
| Chuck Bell |
| Gloria & Chuck Bell |
Keenly aware of San Jose State's commitment to the Western Athletic Conference and NCAA Division I-A football, he brought the vision of a major bowl game at Spartan Stadium with him. He was one of the driving forces in the certification of the Silicon Valley Bowl, now known as the Silicon Valley Football Classic.
In December 2000, he took the bold step hiring Dr. Fitz Hill as the new head football coach. Bell, with a proven record of ethnic and racial diversity in hiring head coaches, was the only Division I-A athletics director to hire an African-American after that football season.
Coaches in the San Jose State program have flourished under his leadership. In 1999-2000, San Jose State had an unprecedented four coaches earn Western Athletic Conference "Coach of the Year" honors - the most by any conference school. Six of the current 15 head coaches have been named "Coach of the Year" in their respective sports.
Competitively, the 2002 football team was one win away from its first bowl appearance in over a decade. Men's basketball recently had consecutive .500 win-loss records for the first time in 14 years. After years of mediocrity, women's basketball had its first winning season in 19 years with a 17-11 record in the 2002 season.
Spartan teams qualify for NCAA Championship competition on a regular basis. The 2000 Spartan baseball team became the school's first squad to qualify for the College World Series. The women's golf team has finished in the top-20 at the NCAA Championships three of the last five years. The women's soccer team qualified for the NCAA Tournament in just its fifth season. The 2000 men's soccer team was the only unbeaten squad in the regular season heading into NCAA Tournament action. The women's water polo team was in the top-10 nationally in each of the last three seasons. The 2003 women’s gymnastics team made its first appearance in NCAA regional championship action in school history.
A firm believer in the CHAMPS/Life Skills Program, he instituted this program at SJSU during the 1998 fall semester. The football program had players qualify for the academic All-America national ballot for the first time in over a decade.
Under his watch, there is a more comprehensive fund raising plan that includes an organized Capital Campaign Project. The Koret Athletic Training Center - a state-of-the-art $4-million, 17,000 square-foot strength, conditioning and rehabilitation facility next to Spartan Stadium opened in 2001. In January 2003, the Scott Gadway Academic Center opened to service the entire student-athlete population. New locker rooms for the basketball and volleyball teams are nearing completion.
Bell came to San Jose State after five banner years at Utah State University. The school won 23 conference championships, went to two bowl games and participated in post-season men's basketball competition. A three-year plan resulted in full compliance with Title IX. Graduation rates rose to 78 percent for those student-athletes who exhausted their eligibility. The school also was a leader in the NCAA/ CHAMPS Life Skills Program. A comprehensive donation program resulted in new facilities for softball, football, and track and field. His vision, service and dedication to Utah State was recognized in April 2002 when the school dedicated a new outdoor soccer facility with the name "CHUCK ANDD GLORIA BELL SOCCER FIELD."
Recognized by his peers for his professionalism, Bell received a 1999 Robert Neyland Award from the All-American Football Foundation for meritorious service in college athletics administration. He has served on the Executive Committee of the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics and the Executive Committee of the Division I-A Athletic Directors' Association. He is a 33-year member of the National Association on Basketball Coaches (NABC).
Bell, was born in Boulder, Colo., and worked at the University of Wyoming eight years and at Colorado State University another eight years before moving to Utah State. He received his bachelor's degree in 1968 and a master's degree in 1969 from Eastern Illinois University.
His first job in athletics was at Paris (Ill.) High School. He then served at St. Anthony High School in Effingham, Ill., at Valparaiso University, and at Lake Land College in Mattoon, Ill., where he coached the Lakers basketball team to the NJCAA National Tournament and was selected the "Illinois Coach of the Year."
He and his wife, Gloria are the parents of two adult children and have three grandchildren. Mrs. Bell is in her 32nd year as a recognized professional in elementary school education and her sixth in the Cupertino, Calif., school district. Their son, Travis Charles Bell, and his wife, Sunrise, reside in Salt Lake City, Utah, with their son, Wyatt Travis Bell. Stephanie Rene Corbin, and her husband, Mike Corbin of Chandler, Ariz., are the parents of Bo Charles and Ty Michael Corbin.