Del Conte named director of athletics at Rice

CONTACT: B.J. Almond
PHONE: (713) 348-6770
E-MAIL: balmond@rice.edu

Del Conte named director of athletics at Rice
  University of Arizona’s senior associate athletics director succeeds Rice’s Bobby May

Chris Del Conte, senior associate athletics director at the University of Arizona in Tucson, has been appointed Rice University’s new director of athletics, Rice President David W. Leebron announced today.

Chris Del Conte

"Chris Del Conte is recognized as one of the most capable administrators and leaders in college sports,” Leebron said. “His dedication to the overall development of the student-athlete and his understanding of the value of intercollegiate athletics in an academic setting are ideal for building upon the notable success Bobby May achieved during his 17 years as athletics director."

Del Conte succeeds May, who announced his retirement in April. May led Rice to status as one of the most-respected intercollegiate sports programs in the nation after becoming athletics director in 1989.

“Rice’s paramount academic reputation made this job very appealing,” said Del Conte, who will be the university’s 14 th athletic director. “President Leebron’s vision for the university and the reputation of Rice academically and athletically were in line with my value system.”

When Del Conte joined the University of Arizona’s Department of Intercollegiate Athletics in December 1999, he oversaw all aspects of athletic fund development, including raising revenue to support completion of a $13-million athletics pavilion and over $6.5 million for student-athlete scholarships. In 2002 his responsibilities were expanded to include overseeing the ticket office, marketing, corporate sales, and trademarks and licensing. He implemented a capital campaign known as “Campaign Arizona for the Student-Athlete,” which has raised more than $120 million.

Photo by Tommy LaVergne

President David Leebron welcomed new Director of Athletics Chris Del Conte at a news conference June 22.

In 2003 Del Conte was named one of three senior associate athletics directors, and his duties were further expanded to include overseeing media relations, business operations and external affairs and helping co-manage the day-to-day operation of the university’s 19 sports programs. He became responsible for the supervision of all areas of external operations, which now generate $28 million in annual revenue. He worked directly with all coaches, department heads and staff and participated in the hiring of coaches and other personnel. He also oversaw all contracts, including corporate sponsorships, broadcast rights, sporting events and Web-site agreements.

Bobby Tudor ’82, a Rice alum and trustee who chaired the search committee for the new athletics director, noted the committee was focused on finding someone who could build on the broad level of academic and athletic excellence that Rice has achieved and also reach beyond Rice to the broader Houston community. “We were very impressed with Chris’ high level of energy, enthusiasm and drive and also with his commitment to the notion of the student-athlete as we see it at Rice,” Tudor said.  

Del Conte has a master’s degree in education administration from Washington State University in Pullman, Wash., where he served as assistant athletics director for external operations before going to Arizona. He has a Bachelor of Arts degree in sociology from the University of California, Santa Barbara.

Del Conte is married to Robin Ward, an assistant professor at the University of Arizona’s College of Education. They have two daughters, Sienna and Sophia.

What others are saying about Chris Del Conte

“Chris is among the brightest administrators in college sports. He brings to the table great experience and a wonderful skill set. No doubt he will be able to make a contribution to Rice University and Conference USA.”
Britton Banowsky
Commissioner of Conference USA

Photo by Tommy LaVergne

Chris Del Conte, Rice’s newly appointed athletics director, was joined by his family during a news conference June 22. Del Conte is pictured above with one of his daughters, Sienna.

“I congratulate Rice University in their hiring of Chris Del Conte as their next Director of Athletics. I have had an opportunity to work with and observe Chris’ work at the University of Arizona and have been impressed with his energy, integrity and competence. He will serve Rice well in these challenging times for athletics administrators.”
Dr. Cedric W. Dempsey
Former President of the NCAA

“Chris Del Conte is perfectly suited to the mission and purpose of Rice University, as he is so dedicated to the overall development of student athletes. They will be on the receiving end of one of the bright young minds in College Athletics. The University of Arizona and Wildcat Athletics got better the day he arrived. Our University and the entire athletic department will miss Chris, Robin, Sienna and Sophia and all the great things they brought to Tucson, Arizona.   Chris will continue to make things happen following the many successes that Bobby May accomplished during his tenure. What a great hire for the Rice Owls!”
Jim Livengood
Director of Athletics
University of Arizona

“I am one of Chris Del Conte’s greatest fans. His high level of personal and professional integrity coupled with his warm and engaging style will be a big hit in Houston. He is flat out the best fundraiser I have ever known. No one works harder. He will be sorely missed at Arizona.”
Lute Olson
Head Basketball Coach
University of Arizona

“The selection of Chris Del Conte will prove to be a historic day in the long storied history of Rice athletics. It seems a rare occurrence that the perfect synchronizing of matching skill sets, talent and style link with the fabled tradition and unique opportunity provided by Rice University. That is what occurred today with Rice University’s hiring of Chris Del Conte. He is the clear rising star of the next generation of ADs in today’s industry. Congrats are in order for both.”
Rick Dickson
Director of Athletics
Tulane University 

“Congratulations to Rice University for selecting one of the premier senior level associate athletic directors in the country. Chris is well prepared for this opportunity and will provide a leadership style that will be a great fit for the university. Chris has worked hard to develop his career in a way that has helped him develop expertise in all areas of a Division 1A Athletics Directors’ responsibilities. He is very bright, energetic, compassionate, and has an infectious and engaging personality. He will have a sound plan of operation and will clearly communicate his plan to everyone. Rice University has a legacy of incredible loyalty and dedication of their athletics director. Augie Erfurth and Bobby May have been terrific leaders and have represented Rice University in an exemplary fashion. Chris Del Conte will do the same.”
Dutch Baughman
Executive Director

NCAA Division 1-A Athletics Directors Association

“Chris Del Conte is a winner! He is a coach’s athletic director as well as a student-athlete’s administrator. He balances the needs of the students and their coaches very effectively. He is dynamic, progressive, and is of the most enjoyable people to work with. He is tremendously talented in marketing and in the area of fundraising and we will miss him at Arizona.”
Mike Stoops
Head Football Coach
University of Arizona

“Chris Del Conte is ‘the Real Deal.’ What he tells you he will do, he delivers. He has great character, integrity, energy, and passion for student athletes, coaches and the university mission. I am really happy for Chris and his family. This is a home run for Rice.”
Andy Lopez
Head Baseball Coach
University of Arizona

“Chris Del Conte is one of the most capable young athletic administrators in the country. He is exceptionally well prepared to be an AD. He will do an outstanding job for Rice University.”
Tom Hansen
Commissioner of the PAC-10 Conference

“As the former chair of the President’s Commission for the NCAA, I had the opportunity to see and meet many of the athletic directors around the country. I think Rice has made an exceptionally good choice in Chris Del Conte. I have known him since he was a young man starting out in this industry and I believe he will do an outstanding job. I congratulate Rice on this selection!”
Sam Smith
Former President
Washington State University 

”Chris Del Conte is one of the brightest and most personable young administrators in the business today. Rice really got a gem with this superb hire.   He will inspire people with his leadership style and energize everyone with his attitude and enthusiasm. As a former Rice employee, I’ve been very pleased to see the progress and excitement building around the program. This is another excellent move by the university to strengthen the program within the context of the institutional mission.”
Joe Castiglione
Athletic Director
University of Oklahoma

 “Chris Del Conte is an excellent selection as the new Director of Athletics for Rice University. He is an outstanding administrator and has a very bright future ahead.”
Dave Hart Jr.
Director of Athletics
Florida State University

“The transition to Rice University should be seamless for Chris Del Conte. Chris knows what it’s like to be a part of a campus community that values education and appreciates intercollegiate athletics. Rice is a premier research university with distinguished academic reputation and a place that will be a great fit for Chris and his family.”
James H. Moore Jr.
President
The University of Arizona Foundation