DECEMBER 9, 2004

Nick Adams Named Mesa State College Athletic Director

Grand Junction, CO - Mesa State College announced today that Steven Nicholas "Nick" Adams has been hired as the new director of the Maverick Athletic Program.

"We've been searching for an athletic director who has the proven ability to lead a successful intercollegiate athletic program," said Tim Foster, president of Mesa State College. "In Nick Adams, we've found the combination of leadership skills and experience that the Maverick Athletic Program requires."

Adams, who will begin his tenure on Jan. 3, 2005, has served as the director of athletics at the University of Illinois at Springfield since April 2002. As such, he has been responsible for the administration of the university's athletic programs and policies, as well as coordinating fundraising, marketing and promotional activities. Adams also served as the assistant and then associate director of athletics at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, a NCAA Division II institution, from April 1996 through April 2002.

"Mesa State College is a growing school that has unlimited potential not only within its athletic department, but in its academic program," said Adams. "I'm looking forward to working with the athletic staff, my fellow college employees and the community to strengthen the Maverick athletic program and solidify its standing as a leader in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference."

Adams holds a bachelor's of science degree in education/recreation and a master's degree in kinesiology/sports management from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. He is a certified national level USA Track and Field official and an Amateur Softball Association umpire, as well as a member of the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics and the National Intramural Recreation Sports Association.

As part of a search that began last May, Adams was selected from a pool of 60 applicants. After completing successful phone interviews, he, along with four other finalists, visited Mesa State College during Nov. 19-30. In addition to interacting with college officials and search committee members, the finalists also met with campus and regional community members.

"The decision to hire Nick Adams resulted, in part, from the very positive feedback we received from those who met with him during the interview process," said Foster. "They concur with our belief that, as the tenth full-time athletic director in the college's history, Nick will advance Mesa State College's strong tradition of academic and athletic excellence."

For more information, contact Tish Elliott, Sports Information Director, at 970.248.1143.

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