UTEP’s Wickstrom Named Athletic Director at UC-Riverside

Brian Wickstrom is California-bound — again.

UTEP’s senior associate athletic director has been named director of intercollegiate athletics at the University of California at Riverside.

“I am privileged, honored and excited to become a member of the University of California-Riverside. These are exciting times to be at UCR and I look forward to working with Chancellor (Timothy P.) White, the student athletes, coaches and the community at large,” Wickstrom said in a news release.

Wickstrom is married to KVIA reporter and ABC-7 at 4 anchor Celina Avila.

Wickstrom will become the fourth senior associate athletic director from the University of Texas at El Paso to take over as athletic director for a Division 1 program, UTEP Athletic Director Bob Stull said. Mack Rhoades is AD at the University of Houston; Tim Schaus took over at the University of Ohio; and Kevin Hatcher went to Cal-State San Bernardino.

“This a great opportunity for Brian,” Stull said. “We’d like to congratulate him. He going to a great place.”

As for Wickstrom’s replacement, Stull said UTEP is not looking right now. The University is also under a hiring freeze, so the position is still not under discussion, he said.

Asked if he had anybody in mind to replace Wickstrom, Stull simply said, “No.”

Wickstrom was at the University of Texas at El Paso for the past five years. He has also held similar roles at the University of Michigan, Santa Clara University, the University of Missouri and Ohio University.

“Brian Wickstrom brings exceptional qualifications and mission critical skills and experience to the AD position,” White said in a news release. “He has tremendous energy, a long-standing record of excellence in student athletics, and a strong understanding of the important role that athletics plays in the life of a research university. We are delighted that Brian will be bringing his skills to UCR.”

UC Regents approved Wickstrom’s appointment on Wednesday. According to a news release, his appointment will be for five years with an annual base compensation of $199,000.

“I am impressed by the academic quality and excellence at UCR and hope that my leadership enhances not only the outstanding athletic program currently in place, but the institution as a whole. My family and I look forward to becoming a part of this great community as well as this outstanding institution,” Wickstrom said.

Joseph Childers, UC-Riverside’s graduate division dean who led the national search, said, “The search committee was united in its respect for the many talents that Brian Wickstrom brings to the UCR athletics program. His successful background in athletics fundraising, donor and alumni relations, and community relations will be a wonderful asset to the campus.” The search committee included students, faculty, staff and community members.

Wickstrom received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Kansas State University, and Master of Science in Sports Administration from Ohio University. He received an Ed.D. from Eastern Michigan University. He will will replace AD Stan Morrison, who is retiring on Aug. 15. Morrison was at UC-Riverside for more than a decade.

UCR’s intercollegiate sports program features teams competing in 17 sports at the NCAA Division I Level in the Big West Conference. The athletics department has an annual budget of about $9 million with an organizational staff of 50 including coaches, athletic trainers and administrative staff.