Stansbury returns to Beaver Nation as athletic director

CORVALLIS – In his official welcome-back to Oregon State on Wednesday as vice president and director of athletics, Todd Stansbury shared a story of what set the foundation for his future in sports.

During a family vacation in Daytona Beach, Florida, when Stansbury was 10 or 11 years old, he "came in contact with some football players from Georgia Tech."

"And at that point I made the decision that is exactly what I wanted to be and that's what I wanted to do," Stansbury said.

There were a few hurdles in his way.

"I was from Canada and I played hockey," Stansbury said. "I wasn't gonna get an opportunity to play football until I got to high school, but that's the goal I set for myself."

Stansbury ultimately received a football scholarship from Georgia Tech and was mentored by a coach, Bill Curry, who "really changed my life."

With 25 years in athletics administration, Stansbury has the experience to oversee OSU's $73 million athletic budget that includes 17 NCAA sports. He signed a five-year contract with an annual base salary of $500,000, that rises to financial compensation of $685,000 a year if athletic, academic and budget goals are met.

Stansbury spent nine years at OSU as executive associate athletic director under Bob De Carolis, the man he is replacing as athletic director. He takes over Aug. 1.

"If it weren't for (De Carolis), I would not have been here the first time and probably would not be sitting here today," Stansbury said.

Stansbury also thanked his wife, Karen, his parents "because they allowed me to dream impossible dreams," OSU President Ed Ray and a search committee that identified him as the right fit for Beaver Nation.

Stansbury, 54, said it wasn't easy to leave the University of Central Florida, where he spent the last 3½ years as athletic director. UCF athletic teams had a 95 percent graduation rate under during his tenure, the top score among public institutions at the Division I level.

But the lure of returning to OSU and the opportunities that provided was too enticing for Stansbury to pass up.

De Carolis, who was OSU's athletic director for nearly 13 years, announced his resignation in April after Ray informed him that his contract would not be extended beyond 2016.

Ray said Stansbury's name "came up immediately" when the search for OSU's next AD began.

"I think all of us who worked with Todd and have known him, knew that he was very instrumental in setting up some very valuable and important programs here," Ray said.

They include the Everyday Champions program, which encompasses the Leadership Institute, and the international service program Beavers Without Borders.

In addition, Stansbury was part of the De Carolis regime that helped orchestrate $180 million in improvements in athletic facilities, and OSU is in the process of a $42 million expansion to the Valley Football Center.

When Stansbury takes the reigns, he'll inherit an OSU athletic landscape that is experiencing a renaissance of sorts in both facility upgrades and performance on the field.

There is a buzz for the main revenue sports — football and men's basketball. In the past 13 months, De Carolis hired men's basketball coach Wayne Tinkle and football coach Gary Andersen.

Most of OSU's current coaches worked with Stansbury during his first stint at OSU. Tinkle said he has no trepidation about working with an athletic director who did not hire him.

"Bob brought him in initially and that gives me a good feeling of confidence because we trust Bob's judge of character," Tinkle said.

Stansbury's previous ties to OSU should be an asset as he reaches out to alums and donors on fundraising campaigns, which likely will include a facelift for the west side of Reser Stadium to match the east-side improvements.

"I think it's gonna be extremely helpful because as a new athletic director it takes you probably 18 months to two years just to get to know your donors," Stansbury said.

Sports has been a positive vehicle throughout Stansbury's life, and he'll bring that passion back to OSU.

Stansbury quoted Nelson Mandela, who said "sports can change the world."

"I truly believe it can change the world, it can change lives," Stansbury said. "And I believe I'm an example of that."

ghorowitz@StatesmanJournal.com, (503) 399-6726 or Twitter.com/ghorowitz