SEASIDE, Calif. - Vince Otoupal, a San Jose State University athletics executive and former Stanford University linebacker, is the new athletic director at California State University, Monterey Bay, President Dianne Harrison announced Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2008.
Otoupal, who starts Oct. 30, will direct 13 men's and women's intercollegiate teams and guide fundraising and marketing for the university's athletics program. He will also oversee intramurals and recreational sports.
Otoupal has been at San Jose State since 2005, most recently as senior associate athletics director for development and donor relations, with responsibility for fundraising and marketing, including the Spartan Foundation. He also has had a variety of oversight responsibilities with the university's 15 varsity athletic teams.
"I am honored to join the Cal State Monterey Bay family as the director of athletics and want to thank President Harrison and the search committee for this terrific opportunity," Otoupal said. "I am very impressed by the university's support for its student-athletes – in both the academic and athletic arenas – and by the enthusiasm and participation of the entire campus, which my family and I are eager to be apart of and enhance.
"Winning is central to my core philosophy of athletics, both in the classroom and in the venues of athletic competition. Putting the fine coaches and student-athletes of CSUMB in the best possible position to succeed will be the everyday focus of the Athletic Department."
Dr. Harrison said Otoupal, who was chosen following a nationwide search, will bring outstanding experience, energy and knowledge to Cal State Monterey Bay's athletics program.
"He's the perfect fit for us," she said. "His leadership will benefit the student-athletes, our campus and our surrounding communities enormously."
Otoupal joins Cal State Monterey Bay a year after the university attained full membership in NCAA Division II and the California Collegiate Athletic Association. He starts as the university's new men's and women's basketball coaches, Rob Bishop and Renee Jimenez, prepare to lead their first teams at CSUMB.
Stephanie Duke, Cal State Monterey Bay's associate athletic director, has served as interim AD during the national search. She resumes her duties as associate athletic director and senior woman administrator.
Before moving to San Jose State, Otoupal spent five years working in the athletics department at Stanford University. He is a graduate of Stanford and played outside linebacker for the Cardinal under coaches Jack Elway and Bill Walsh. He also was a member of the university's rugby team.
Following graduation from Stanford, Otoupal spent five years as an infantry officer in the Marine Corps and then earned a Master's of Business Administration from the University of Oregon. He and his wife, Brady, have a son and now live in San Jose.
Otoupal has made a major contribution at San Jose State, said Tom Bowen, director of athletics at SJSU.
"He has done a remarkable job for this department and university," Bowen said. "He will be a terrific leader for the coaches and student athletes at Monterey Bay, and I commend them for their selection.
"We will miss Vince's enthusiasm, commitment and dedication. We wish him and his family all the best."
QUICK FACTS
Age
Born Oct. 25, 1969
Education
Bachelor of Arts degrees in political science and organizational behavior, Stanford University, 1993
Master's in Business Administration, University of Oregon, 2002
Previous positions
2007- Senior Associate Athletics Director for Development and Donor Relations, San Jose State
2005-07 Associate Athletic Director, San Jose State
2001-05 Director of Major Gifts in athletics, Stanford University.
1998-2000 Director of Annual Giving in athletics, Stanford University
1993-1998 United States Marine Corps