By: Nate Sanchez
Staff Writer

The search committee in charge of finding CSUB’s new Athletics Director brought two finalists to campus for an opportunity to speak with staff and campus community. David Harris, Senior Associate Athletics Director at Iowa State University was one of the finalists.

Harris spoke of a five-pronged vision for Roadrunner athletics to align the department with the school’s mission statement. Harris’ five point plan started with supporting the educational mission of the university through capable student-athletes and holistic development thereof.

“We have to recruit student-athletes who want and education,” Harris said. “We are an institution of higher learning. While it may be attractive for some students to come to this university just to play their sport, it’s the responsibility of all of us in athletics to make sure these athletes are coming to graduate.”

Harris’ plan also addressed diversity.

“Diversity to me is about competition, not a requirement,” Harris said. “People from different backgrounds coming together for a common goal leads to better ideas, and more of them. Those ideas will in turn lead to better actions.”

The next three aspects of Harris’ plan, pride and visibility, service and engagement and collaboration were all based in the same thing. Harris made it known that the athletics department was to be integrated with the university experience.

Harris sees student-athletes as servant leaders, not only on campus, but in the community as well.

“Our student athletes reflect on the community’s identity,” Harris said. “If we can get athletics into the hearts and minds of the younger generation, it comes right back to you.”

What stood out to me was his inclusion of solutions to relevant issues in his priorities: student counseling, sexual assault and interpersonal violence training, mental health first aid and LGBTQ safe zones in the Athletics offices. Harris’ stance on fundraising is suited to gain donors and create connections with the community sponsors.

In the first 100 days of the job, Harris said he would take the time to learn first and develop relationships with donors as well as a facilities master plan.

“I’d love to come in and get my hands dirty,” Harris said. “I think there’s momentum here and a great opportunity to build.”

Harris has a Masters Degree of Business Administration from the University of Mississippi.