Sterk Tells Board Members SDSU at “a Pivotal Time”
Several members of the SDSU Alumni Association Board of Directors along with campus administrators gathered to welcome Jim Sterk to Montezuma Mesa just before he was introduced to the media as SDSU’s new athletic director. In the ballroom of the Parma Payne Goodall Alumni Center, a group of 35 alumni and Aztec supporters listened as the new A.D. promised to be accessible to alumni and enlisted their help in reaching out to others.
“I’m here not to let you down,” Sterk told the alums. “I want to represent San Diego State in the most positive way and for our teams and programs to do that as well.”
New SDSU Athletic Director Jim Sterk speaks to alumni February 15 in the Parma Payne Goodall Alumni Center Grand Ballroom.
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Answering a question about why the Washington native would leave his 10-year position as athletic director at Washington State University, Sterk said he sees San Diego State as having “a huge upside.” He described SDSU and its athletics programs as being “at a pivotal time” with a new football coach and questions about Qualcomm Stadium's future, but said he sees opportunity with the Aztecs.
“I’ve looked at the history (of SDSU athletics) and there’s a lot of great people that have been here,” he explained, “and there’s a lot of great coaches who are currently part of this institution.” He also said he is impressed with SDSU’s athletics facilities.
Generating Ideas
Sterk told the gathering he wants to assemble a small group of alumni with backgrounds in public relations, marketing and communications to generate ideas on how to better communicate with alumni and friends of the university.
Alumnus Jack Goodall ('60) speaks with new SDSU Athletic Director Jim Sterk.
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“I would be interested in all your input,” he said. “I want to get a group together right away and start working on that from day one.”
For the most part, the new A.D.’s words were well received.
“I think he’s personable, I think he’s enthusiastic, and I like the fact that he’s trying to make football, in particular, a success,” said SDSU Alumni Association board member Ken Kramer (’74). “He feels committed to the Mountain West as a conference. He feels that San Diego State is a sleeping giant. All those things resonate real well. It’s good to hear.”
Former SDSU Alumni Association president Ash Hayes (’49) agreed Sterk made a good first impression.
“I like what I’ve seen so far,” said Hayes, “and he’s been a successful AD at a major institution, so he’s got the experience that I think will be most beneficial.”