Though word had leaked into the press for a number of days now, Colorado State made it officially official on Tuesday by announcing Joe Parker as its new athletics director.
Parker comes to Fort Collins from Texas Tech, where he’d served as deputy AD since 2011.
“Joe Parker is one of the most impressive individuals I have ever had the privilege of working with. His passion for the well-being of the student-athlete is unparalleled,” Red Raiders head coach Kliff Kingsbury said in a statement. “Colorado State has hired an incredible athletics director and an even better man. He will be sincerely missed here at Texas Tech.”
Before arriving at Texas Tech, Parker spent eight years working for the fundraising and facilities arms at Michigan from 2003-11. That time will serve him well in his new job, as Parker’s first and most important order of business will be to oversee the construction of the Rams’ new football stadium.
Parker is Colorado State’s third athletics director in less than four years, following Paul Kowalczyk (fired in 2011) and Jack Graham (fired in August).
“Colorado State is an institution on the rise, and gaining a great deal of attention nationally for its athletic success and for the new facilities it is developing, particularly the on-campus stadium,” Parker said. “Even more important, Colorado State is widely known as an outstanding academic institution. That’s a great combination, and I’m thrilled to be joining the Ram family.”
A three-time All-America swimmer at Michigan, Parker rose the ranks in the sales and development offices at Texas, Washington State and Oklahoma.
(Photo credit: Colorado State)
