FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 28, 2022
CONTACT: Kyle Neaves, Associate Athletic Director for Communications
(228) 424-6921 | Kyle.Neaves@Colostate.edu
Director of Athletics Joe Parker Signs Five-Year Extension
Under Parker’s leadership, Colorado State has won 21 conference championships.
FORT COLLINS, Colo. – Colorado State Director of Athletics Joe Parker, who begins his eighth season leading the department in 2022-23, has signed a five-year extension, securing him as the Rams’ top athletic administrator through December 31, 2027, CSU Interim President Rick Miranda announced on Thursday.
“Joe Parker places the highest priority on the success of our student athletes – and on building a solid foundation for the long-term success of our programs overall,” Interim President Rick Miranda said. “CSU Athletics is on a great trajectory, with record numbers of fans in the stands, strong leadership across the department, and students who are thriving academically, personally, and athletically. We’re happy to keep building on that momentum with Joe as Director of Athletics.”
“I would like to thank the Board of Governors, Chancellor Tony Frank, and Interim President Miranda for their continued trust in me leading this department,” Parker said. “We are at a pivotal moment in college athletics, and I believe Colorado State Athletics is poised to play a significant part in the future of the development of student-athletes. We serve a world-class University, provide an incredible college experience, and strive to have a championship culture in everything we do. I could not be more energized and excited to continue to work alongside the fantastic student-athletes, coaches, and support staff we have assembled here in Fort Collins.”
Under Parker’s leadership, the Rams have won 21 Mountain West championships, second-most among any program in the league over that span including 15 across women’s programs – the most in the league over the past seven seasons.
Academic excellence has also been at the forefront of the department’s mission under Parker. In the previous five Academic Progress Rate reports, Colorado State has averaged a 985 or better, up from averages in the 970s and 960s in the years prior to Parker’s arrival. Those APR reports have also included 40 perfect 1,000 single-year marks, and in the most recent Graduation Success Rate report, Colorado State posted the highest four-class average graduation rate in the Mountain West (87) and posted a graduation success rate 17 percentage points higher than the general student body.
The 87 GSR was the highest mark in program history since reporting began in 1998.
Facility improvement and strategic partnerships are a cornerstone of progress at Colorado State, and on-going projects throughout the athletic campus include a $7 million renovation to locker rooms in Moby Arena and the Fueling Station for student-athlete wellness and nutrition. In May 2022, Parker and others ceremonially broke ground on an upcoming facility improvement plan for the soccer and softball programs. Construction is expected to begin early fall.
Considerable value has also been created in the strategic partnership space under Parker. In June of 2018, he spearheaded what was at the time the third-largest naming rights deals in college athletics, a $37.7 million agreement with Canvas Credit Union to name the then-unnamed on-campus stadium. An anonymous gift was also generated to the tune of $20 million to name the field at Canvas Stadium in honor of former head coach Sonny Lubick, and a $4.3 million gift was secured from New Belgium Brewing to name the New Belgium Porch at Canvas Stadium.
Inside Canvas Stadium, Parker led the naming level gift agreement with the Orthopaedic and Spine Center of the Rockies for the OCR Field Club, a partnership worth over $4 million. In Moby Arena, a partnership with FNBO led to the creation of the FNBO Loft.
Through its first five years of operation, Parker’s team has delivered on the promise that Canvas Stadium would serve as a community asset as the facility is a top destination for non-athletic events in the region. Since its opening, Canvas Stadium hosts approximately 200 non-athletic events a year including proms, conferences, weddings, festivals, and most recently professional soccer.
Over the past four years, private support and seat-related giving has been significant under Parker’s leadership with over $20 million raised as a part of over $80 million throughout his tenure.
Parker has also represented Colorado State on NCAA, Mountain West, and Lead1 committees including the current FBS Football Working Group (Lead1) and the NCAA Pathways Program, mentoring up-and-coming athletic administrators. Within the conference, Parker has also served on the Media Rights Committee (2015-20), Joint Council Executive Committee (2016-17), and Recognition Committee (2015-17).
WHAT THEY ARE SAYING ABOUT JOE PARKER:
“Canvas is so grateful for the partnership with Colorado State University and the opportunity we’ve been given the last four years to help students, faculty, alumni and broader community ‘Afford Life.’ So many people have played a part in the success of our partnership, but none more than Joe Parker. Joe shines as one of the best leaders in collegiate athletics and represents the Colorado State community with heart, passion, and humility. Canvas couldn’t be happier for CSU, Joe, and his family. We’re excited about the impact we’ll create together for years to come.”
– Todd Marksberry, CEO, Canvas Credit Union
“I really enjoy our strong partnership with Joe Parker and the entire CSU athletic department and believe his extension will help the department continue to grow on and off the field. We are looking forward to many future successes and enjoying some Old Aggies to celebrate.”
– Steve Fechheimer, CEO, New Belgium Brewing.
“As the proud broadcast partner of Colorado State Athletics, Townsquare Media is excited to hear the news of Joe Parker’s extension as we embark upon a new era of CSU Athletics. We’re looking forward to an exciting new season with Joe continuing to lead the charge!”
– Joel Clary, Townsquare Media Director of Sales
“Joe Parker, and the leadership team he has assembled, works tirelessly to help our student-athletes excel on and off the field here at Colorado State University. College athletics is in an amazing state of flux right now, with change being a near constant. From our interactions, I know Joe to be an administrator who prioritizes both academic and athletic excellence, and having a learned and steady hand at the helm is good for CSU and its student athletes. I can think of no one I would rather be a partner with in that endeavor moving forward than Joe Parker, and I congratulate him on his extension in his role as Director of Athletics.”
– Kyle Saunders, Professor of Political Science and NCAA Faculty Athletics Representative
– CSURams.com –
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