 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
||||||||||
|
||||||||||
|
||||||||||
|
Washington native James M. Sterk was appointed Washington State University's director of athletics in June of 2000. Since his arrival, Sterk has overseen unprecedented growth and success by the Cougars' 17 intercollegiate teams and 450 individuals who compete for WSU annually. The foundation of Sterk's leadership plan is based on five areas: the student-athlete experience, resource acquisition, personnel, political dynamics, and facilities. All five areas have enjoyed growth during his tenure at Washington State University. This was especially reflected during the 2006-07 academic year as WSU was recognized with three national honors. The department was recognized as a Program of Excellence by the Division I-A Athletic Directors' Association. The Program of Excellence award is designed to recognize Division I-A athletics programs that have established student-athlete welfare as the cornerstone of their operating principles. For the second consecutive year the department earned the Diversity in Athletics Award presented by the Laboratory for Diversity in Sport at Texas A&M University (recognized in the "Overall Excellence in Diversity" and "Title IX Compliance" categories). The Diversity in Athletics Award recognizes the NCAA Division I-A athletic departments that excel in the area of diversity. Finally, WSU was a recipient of the inaugural "Opportunity Awards," presented by the Women's Sports Foundation. In an effort to recognize schools that consistently provide equitable opportunities to their female student-athletes and set a tone in their athletic department that reflect the school's overall ideals and aspirations, the foundation created the "Opportunity Awards." The foundation selected one school from each region of the country that represents these qualities and can serve as ambassadors for their segment of the country. WSU was the West region recipient. In 2006-07, WSU student-athletes achieved in the classroom, earning a cumulative GPA over a 3.0. This continued a tradition of academic achievement by Cougar student-athletes under Sterk's watch. For example, in 2004-05, WSU earned 113 selections to Pacific-10 Conference All-Academic teams. That figure represented the most student-athletes to earn such an honor during an academic year in school history. WSU nearly reached this standard in 2005-06 with 109 selections to conference all-academic teams. On the field, Cougar Athletics have enjoyed extraordinary achievements during Sterk's tenure, highlighted by three consecutive 10-win seasons by the football program from 2001-03 and the men's basketball team's run to the NCAA Tournament in 2006-07. The squad's 26 wins tied it with the 1941 national runner-up squad for the most in school history and gave the Cougars their first NCAA Tournament appearance since 1994, posting their first NCAA Tournament win in 24 years with a first round defeat of Oral Roberts University. The men's basketball team's success highlighted a year where eight Washington State University sports scored points in the United States Sports Academy Directors' Cup during 2006-07, giving the Cougars their best finish in four years. WSU finished 70th nationally with 283 points, the Cougars best mark since a 55th place finish and school record 351.5 points in 2002-03. WSU tallied points in eight sports, which was tied for the most in school history (2001-02 and 2002-03). This success followed a 2005-06 season that featured 10 sports that were represented either as a team or individually in NCAA postseason competition. Highlighted amongst this group was the rowing team's fourth place finish at the NCAA Championships, the highest finish ever by a WSU women's team in NCAA postseason competition. Facility improvements have also been among projects Sterk has tackled. Following the 2006 football season, the initial phases of a renovation to Martin Stadium, the home of Cougar football, commenced. These initial phases will be completed by the start of the 2008 season with more phases planned in the future. WSU recently completed a major baseball field renovation, becoming the first collegiate field to feature FieldTurf as a playing surface. In addition, plans are underway for an ambitious capital improvement plan that will enhance many other WSU sport facilities. A 1980 graduate of Western Washington University, Sterk received his master's degree in sports administration from Ohio University. His professional career has included positions at North Carolina, Maine, Seattle Pacific, Tulane, and Portland State, the latter as director of athletics for five years before joining the Cougar staff. Sterk currently is a member of the prestigious NCAA Championship/Competition cabinet and has served on numerous Pacific-10 Conference committees during his tenure at WSU. BORN: June 10, 1956, Bellingham, Wash. HIGH SCHOOL: Nooksack Valley High, 1974 - Earned varsity letters in football, basketball, baseball and track. COLLEGE: Western Washington University, 1980 - Received bachelor of arts in physical education and business education...earned four varsity letters in football and one in basketball...football team captain, team MVP and all-district first team as a senior in 1977. Ohio University, 1986 - Earned master's of science in sports administration...elected sports administration class president...recipient of an NFL scholarship. PROFESSIONAL: University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, 1986 - Assistant to the director of ticket operations (internship). University of Maine, 1987-90 - Assistant AD for finance, 1989-90...started as assistant business manager and ticket manager, 1987-88, and then was director of athletic services, 1988-89. Seattle Pacific, 1990-91 - Associate athletic director. Tulane University, 1991-95 - Served as senior associate AD and executive director of the Green Wave Club, 1992-95...initially served as associate AD for administration and external affairs, 1991-92...between 1992 and 1995, directed Green Wave Club campaign that generated more than 3,200 new donors (220% increase) and an additional $8.6 million (400% increase) in gifts and pledges. Portland State University, 1995-2000 - Athletic director...membership in NCAA and Big Sky Conference...orchestrated school's move from NCAA Div. II to Div. I and into the Big Sky Conference...tenure highlights included - securing a $1,000,000 gift for athletics, the largest single gift to PSU in the school's history...directed a fund raising campaign that generated over $5 million...Viking Club donor base doubled from 600 to 1200...completed master plan in March 2000 for a $20 million renovation of PSU's athletic and student recreation facility...in 1999 assisted in a $37 million development of Portland's Civic Stadium, home of Viking football...PSU hosted the 2000 NCAA Women's Basketball West Regional...increased annual cash donations to athletics from $120,000 in 1994 to $1.2 million in 1999...initiated the PSU Athletics Hall of Fame...restarted men's basketball after a 15-year hiatus. Washington State University, 2000 to present - Athletic Director Other related experiences - high school teacher, coach and administrator in Washington and Oregon, 1979-85...taught history, science and physical education...coached baseball, softball, football, basketball and track. HONORS/ORGANIZATIONS: Chair, Big Sky Conference Joint Athletic Council (1999-2000), Portland Oregon Sports Authority (1999-2000), Big Sky Conference TV Committee (1998-2000), NCAA I-AA Football Regional Advisory Committee (1999), Big Sky Legislative Committee (1996-98). Current Committees: NCAA D-IA Bowl Licensing, NCAA D-IA Championship/Competition Cabinet, Pacific-10 TV, Pacific-10 Bowl. HOBBIES: Enjoys jogging, boating and singing. WSU APPOINTMENT: July, 2000 WSU RESPONSIBILITIES: Supervises a NCAA Division I intercollegiate athletic program of 10 women's and seven men's teams, all competing in the Pacific-10 Conference. SPOUSE: Debra (Debi) J. Sterk CHILDREN: Ashley (3-12-89), Amy (10-14-91), Abby (5-12-95) Related Story: Jim Sterk Selected WSU's New Athletic Director |
|||||||||||||||||||||
 |
 |
