Sayler named interim director of athletics

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

Sayler named interim director of
athletics

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David Sayler has been named
interim director of athletics at
Rice University. He succeeds
Chris Del Conte, whose appointment as the new athletics director at
Texas Christian University was announced Oct. 21.

“Today I accepted Athletics Director
Chris Del Conte’s resignation with a mixture of regret at losing his leadership
and energy and appreciation for the many contributions he has made to Rice
during his three years here,” said Rice President David Leebron. 

“Chris’ contributions include the
renovation of Tudor Fieldhouse, upgrades of
Reckling Park and Rice Stadium, the hiring of
football coach David Bailiff, who led the Owls to a Texas Bowl victory last
year, the hiring of basketball coach Ben Braun, and the construction of the new Barbara and David
Gibbs Recreation and
Wellness Center. David Sayler has played
a major role in these accomplishments, and I know he will continue to build on
that progress.”

Sayler came to Rice in
August 2006 after spending two seasons as associate athletics director for
business operations at
Oregon State University.

As senior associate athletics
director, Sayler is responsible for assisting in the day-to-day operations of
the Athletics Department. He directly oversees all internal operations as well
as provides administrative oversight for Rice’s 16 sports programs. He also oversees the
department’s strategic plan that he helped develop. He was involved in the
planning and construction of the recently built athletics facilities.

Sayler has a B.A. in
accounting from
Ohio Wesleyan University and a master’s in sports administration from the University of Connecticut.

A nationwide search will
be conducted for a new athletics director.