Oregon State University named UCF Vice President and Director of Athletics Todd Stansbury as its director of Athletics. Stansbury begins at Oregon State on Aug. 1.
Since joining UCF in January 2012, Stansbury’s leadership has helped the Athletics Association enjoy significant academic, athletic and community service success. During his UCF tenure, the Knights moved from Conference USA to the American Athletic Conference and played in the university’s first major bowl game, a 52-42 victory over No. 6 Baylor in the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl on Jan. 1, 2014.
Under Stansbury, the Knights have won 15 conference championships, including seven in 2014-15.
“This decision was difficult because I love UCF, what our teams have accomplished and the excitement still ahead,” Stansbury said. “Karen and I have spent a large part of our lives at Oregon State and we look forward to returning to Corvallis. Without a doubt, we will be Knights fans from the West Coast.”
UCF also boasts the highest graduation success rate for student-athletes of any public NCAA Division I FBS school in the nation. UCF’s 95 percent Graduation Success Rate ranks in the top five overall among FBS schools, alongside private institutions Notre Dame, Stanford, Duke and Northwestern. The Knights Academic Progress Rate (APR) has improved every year under Stansbury’s leadership. The current score of 981 (out of 1000) is the best in UCF history.
“Oregon State hired a winner in every sense of the word,” UCF President John C. Hitt said. “Todd fostered a culture of academic and athletic success at UCF. He has done a marvelous job and the UCF family appreciates all he and Karen have done for the Knights. He will be missed.”
UCF will share plans regarding the search process and interim period soon.
UCF Athletics received the largest charitable gift in its history in 2014 when the Wayne Densch Charitable Trust gave $4 million to build the Wayne Densch Center for Student-Athlete Leadership. The Garvy Family Foundation contributed $1 million to the center.
The new center will be the centerpiece of UCF’s vision to mold its student-athletes into community leaders who are prepared to make a difference in the world.
Stansbury also has overseen facilities expansion at UCF. This fall, the East Side Club will open in Bright House Networks Stadium. The “ESC” will be a 10,000-square-foot, Florida-themed social area and lounge located between the 30-yard lines inside the stadium. It will feature chair-back stadium seating, as well as an open-air sun deck to enjoy games.
More information about UCF Athletics, including schedules, tickets, official gear and more can be found at http://www.UCFKnights.com.