Sayler named interim director of athletics

BY B.J. ALMOND
Rice News staff

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.

“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.

	DAVID SAYLER

“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 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.