EUGENE, Ore. -- (July 15, 2010) -- University of Oregon President Richard Lariviere announced today he has chosen Rob Mullens -- deputy director of athletics at the University of Kentucky for the past four years -- to become director of intercollegiate athletics at the UO.

"Rob Mullens brings a deep reservoir of experience to the University of Oregon," Lariviere said. "He has played key roles in managing large and complex organizations at the University of Kentucky and the University of Maryland, and those universities have flourished as a result. His management and financial expertise will be invaluable to the UO as our athletics department continues to thrive and secures its place as one of the preeminent programs in the nation."

As deputy director of athletics, Mullens managed day-to-day operations of Kentucky's 22-sport athletic department, with an annual operating budget of $79 million. His background is in accounting and auditing, and he has promoted sound fiscal management and self-sufficiency at the University of Kentucky. During his total of eight years at Kentucky, the athletic department's operating budget has expanded by nearly 70 percent. Fund-raising for the department has hit record levels each of the past seven years.

Mullens replaces longtime UO administrator and faculty member Lorraine Davis, who came out of retirement to serve as interim athletics director after Mike Bellotti resigned in March to become a college football analyst for ESPN television broadcasts. Mullens will begin his duties at the UO on or before Sept. 1.

Prior to being named deputy director of athletics at Kentucky, Mullens served as the university's executive associate director of athletics from 2002 to 2006. He served at the University of Maryland from 1996 to 2002, starting as assistant director of athletics for business and ultimately as executive senior associate director of athletics and chief of staff.

He was senior athletic business manager at the University of Miami (Fla.) from 1994 to 1996, and prior to that he was an accountant/auditor at Ernst & Young in Raleigh, N.C.

"Much will be expected of Rob Mullens as the university's new athletics director, and based on his track record I am confident that he will be very successful at the University of Oregon," Lariviere said. "Rob has been asked to develop a clear vision to maintain and advance the UO's competitive advantages in fundraising, facilities development and recruitment and retention of student-athletes and staff. He will insure that the athletics department remains financially self-sufficient, while at the same time promoting an environment that helps each student athlete to succeed in the classroom as well as the field of competition.

"This is a period of important growth and change for the athletics department. A new basketball arena will open within a year and additional improvements are on the way for other athletics facilities. It will be Rob's role to not only oversee and promote future advances for the department, but to nurture the individual programs that will fill those outstanding venues."

Mullens went to school at West Virginia University, where he earned a bachelor's degree in business administration and a master's degree in sport management. He and his wife, Jane, have two sons. He enjoys running and golfing.

About the University of Oregon
The University of Oregon is a world-class teaching and research institution and Oregon's flagship public university. The UO is a member of the Association of American Universities (AAU), an organization made up of the 63 leading public and private research institutions in the United States and Canada. The University of Oregon is one of only two AAU members in the Pacific Northwest.

CONTACTS: Phil Weiler, senior director of Office of Communications, 541-346-3873, pweiler@uoregon.edu; Dave Williford, executive assistant athletic director for media services, 541-346-2251, diw@uoregon.edu

###