Torre Chisholm Named New AD at Portland State

Salem-News.com SPORTS

PORTLAND - Portland State University President Daniel O. Bernstine has named Michael “Torre” Chisholm as the University’s new athletics director, following a national search.

“With Torre Chisholm leading PSU’s athletic department, I am confident a new energy will pervade our sports programs,” said President Bernstine. “His experience is well-suited to our particular needs of building local support for our teams, and assuring a strong connection between athletics and academics. PSU is grateful to Teri Mariani, our interim athletic director, for guiding the department during this search.”

Chisholm currently serves as associate athletic director for development and marketing at University of California, Irvine, where he has been since September 2000.

While at UC Irvine, Chisholm increased fundraising by 200 percent and sponsorships by 150 percent, helping to secure major gifts that led to the construction of a Sports Medicine Center and the second phase of Anteater Ballpark.

He also played a key role in marketing and licensing, as well as generating enthusiasm for athletics across campus and the community.

Prior to UC Irvine, Chisholm spent nine years at the University of California, Santa Barbara, in a range of capacities including five years as assistant athletics director for marketing and promotions.

Chisholm is an alumnus of University of California Santa Barbara.

“"I'm thrilled and honored to be joining Portland State Athletics,” said Chisholm. “PSU has tremendous potential, combined with outstanding coaches and staff. I look forward to working with them, as well as the greater campus community, to continue building PSU's athletic tradition. I can't wait to get on campus and start tackling a few key issues, such as building support around Coach Glanville's football program and focusing on important facilities needs."

Torre Chisholm will be formally introduced to the Portland community at a press conference with PSU President Bernstine, April 5th.

Chisholm replaces interim AD Teri Mariani, who has filled that role since February 2006 when Tom Burman left to accept a position as vice president of the University of Wyoming Foundation.

The Portland State University Intercollegiate Athletics program is an NCAA Division I member that competes in 14 varsity sports (six men’s and eight women’s), with the addition of men’s and women’s tennis programs beginning this fall.

The Vikings are members of the nine-school Big Sky Conference and have won five Big Sky Conference championships over the past four years.

The Viking wrestling program competes in the Pac-10 Conference, and the softball team is a member and 2006 champion of the Pacific Coast Softball Conference.

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