SJSU Announces Search for Athletics Director; Chuck Bell to retire

San Jose, Calif. – San Jose State University announced today that it is launching a nationwide search for an athletics director to replace Chuck Bell, who is retiring after nearly seven years, effective December 1, 2004. John Glass, Senior Associate Athletic Director for External Operations at SJSU and Chief Operations Officer for the Athletic Department, has agreed to serve as interim athletics director until a new director is appointed.

Bell, 59, has served as head of San Jose State athletics since March, 1998. "Chuck has been an important part of Spartan Athletics during some trying times. We regret his decision, but understand it and wish him and Gloria all the best," said Interim President Don W. Kassing.

During Bell’s tenure, he established budget credibility and transparency for the Athletic Department while absorbing significant budget cuts and fee increases. Bell was noted for running a spotless program, with no major NCAA violations, no serious student athlete behavior problems, and no department scandals. Under Bell, Spartan athletics maintained full compliance with gender equity requirements, and the graduation rates for student-athletes were consistently above those for the general student body. As a group, Spartan head coaches have been among the most ethnically diverse in Division 1-A, and several won Coach of the Year honors from the Western Athletic Conference (WAC). Each year during Bell’s tenure the Athletic Department raised more contributions than any other department in the University and, with about $6 million in contributions, built the Koret Athletic Training Center, the Scott Gadway Academic Center, the Jeff Garcia Hall of Champions, the Spartan statues, and new men’s and women’s locker rooms in the Events Center. Bell was also one of the founders of the Silicon Valley Classic.

"The university has been very good to me and Gloria," said Bell. "I’ve never been in a department that’s closer than this one, with people who get along so well. We have people who really care about our student athletes. At the same time, it’s a department of great integrity, and I’m very proud of that."

WAC affiliation will continue

Kassing affirmed that San Jose State remains strongly committed to membership in the WAC and to Division 1-A competition. "I was at the WAC Presidents and ADs Strategic Planning Meeting just last week with three new member schools—Idaho, New Mexico State and Utah State," Kassing said. "These additions keep the WAC a strong and exciting conference."

Kassing also said that a national search is appropriate to find Bell’s successor. "San Jose State University is committed to competing at the highest level in all our endeavors, from the new Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Library to the Steinbeck Center to Micro-electronic Engineering to Athletics. We need the best leadership in all areas. Indeed, we believe that is what we owe our students, our Silicon Valley community and all Californians."

Glass is in his sixth year San Jose State University. As senior associate director, he supervises the fund raising and major gift programs, the Spartan Foundation, marketing, promotions, sports information, the San Jose State Sports Hall of Fame and the sports of football, men’s and women’s basketball and men’s and women’s golf.

"Our coaches, administrators and student-athletes are a close-knit group, and I enjoy working with them. My goal is to continue to progress during this time of transition. I look forward to working with President Kassing and all those who care about San Jos? State athletics."

A 1975 graduate of the University of Georgia, Glass has 22 years of athletic administration experience and 29 years of administrative experience at the college level. He was the associate athletics director for external operations at Utah State University for three years before coming to San Jose State in 1998. He also spent 14 years as an assistant athletics director and director of athletic development at Colorado State University.

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