Sports

UM announces new Athletic Director

Posted: Sep 12, 2012 10:38 AM by MTN Sports
Updated: Sep 12, 2012 10:39 AM

MISSOULA- The University of Montana hasn't strayed far from home in tapping a new Director of Athletics.

UM President Royce Engstrom has named Kent Haslam the next Director of Athletics following a nationwide search.

Haslam, who si currently associate athletic director for development with the UM Foundation, will take over his new job on September 17.

"I believe Kent Haslam is the right person to lead The University of Montana athletic program into one of national distinction for athletics, academics and campus and community involvement," Engstrom said in a news release.

"I am honored to be named the new director of athletics at The University of Montana," Haslam said. "I have tremendous respect for the tradition and history of this great University and look forward to helping advance the overall mission of UM.

"I believe strongly in the role that college athletics plays on a university campus - a role that unites, builds pride and serves the student-athletes and community. I look forward to advancing a vision focused on academic success, athletic excellence and community service," he said.

Haslam was one of four finalists who recently interviewed on campus.

"We had a tremendous pool of candidates, and the search committee brought in four exceptional finalists, each of whom brought certain strengths," Engstrom said. "In the end, Kent was the strong favorite of the committee, and he was my choice because of his exemplary work for UM, because he understands Grizzly athletics and because he has the attitude, capabilities and energy to lead us forward."

Haslam has worked for the UM Foundation since January 2006, directing and managing all fundraising activities for the University's intercollegiate athletics department. He managed a portfolio of more than 150 donors, helping solicit and secure six- and seven-figure gifts to athletics and joint gifts that benefitted other programs across campus. He also was a key team member for funding recent expansions and improvements to Washington-Grizzly Stadium.

Haslam served as associate athletic director for external operations at Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff from 2000 to 2006, where he directed all aspects of the marketing, promotions, sports information, broadcasting, ticketing and game management for NAU's athletic department.

He also served as manager of media and communications for the Salt Lake Olympic Organizing Committee from 1998 to 2000. He returned to Salt Lake City during the 2002 Olympic Winter Games to serve a monthlong assignment as a supervisor of the Olympic News Service.

Haslam earned undergraduate degrees in broadcast journalism and Japanese from Brigham Young University in 1993 and an education master's degree from NAU in 2004.