I write to you today to share the bittersweet news that Scott Garrett will be leaving his position as Vice President and Director of Athletics and heading south to Winston-Salem, North Carolina, where he has been selected as the Deputy Athletics Director for Administration at Wake Forest University. He will remain in the position of Vice President and Director of Athletics here at CSU until January 15.
Scott joined CSU Athletics in April of 2019, and over nearly five years, he has cultivated an environment of unwavering teamwork and camaraderie among our student-athletes and athletics staff. Above all, Scott has focused on our students’ personal success and growth. Students who wear the colors green and white and represent our University are coached to be excellent athletes, diligent students and responsible members of the community. If you know Scott, you know that more than anything else, he prioritizes a transformational growth experience for all of our student-athletes.
Under Scott’s leadership, CSU Athletics has achieved laudable highlights, including:
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- the rebuilding of our a contemporary Division I-AAA athletics program, including over 90 staff and coaching hires with 12 head coach and six senior athletics staff appointments;
- a streak of 35 consecutive semesters with student-athletes achieving a semester GPA of 3.0 or better, as well as a record number of student-athletes earning league all-academic recognition;
- increased community engagement, giving student-athletes opportunities to partner with many schools and non-profit organizations in service to the region;
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an expanded professional development program for coaches, athletics staff and student-athletes, focused on exercises in leadership, communications, and diversity, equity and inclusion;
- record-high fundraising, nearly quadrupling annual fundraising for athletics over four academic years in support of athletic scholarships, student-athlete experience initiatives and improvements to both academic and athletic facilities; and
- conference championships and NCAA tournament appearances in men’s tennis, men’s basketball, women’s basketball and men’s soccer.
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Of course, in addition to these highlights, our Vikings have made notable achievements on the court, field and more across all 19 sport programs. In the past four years, our Vikings have won nine team league championships, 18 individual league titles and 32 major postseason awards. A total of 107 student-athletes have earned all-league distinctions, while over 100 student-athletes have earned all-academic award recognition over the last three years. I invite you to read the announcement from CSU Athletics for a more detailed summary of Scott’s tenure as athletics director.
It has been my pleasure to work with Scott as a valued member of my Cabinet. The longer I know Scott, the more I grow to respect him as a leader and value him as a colleague. Scott has a strong ethical compass that enables him to guide others with humility and grace. He is a leader who lives his values. I can say without hesitation that the student-athletes, coaches and staff members who have worked with and for him here at CSU have all benefitted personally and professionally from the experience. He will be missed by all of us.
As we prepare for this consequential transition, I have named CSU Deputy Athletics Director Kelsie Gory Harkey as Interim Athletics Director until such time that we launch a search for our next AD. Kelsie joined the department in fall of 2019 and quickly became a trusted partner to Scott, a steady advisor to staff across the department and a stalwart advocate for our student-athletes. She and I have already been meeting regularly to ensure as seamless a transition as possible. Kelsie will begin her service as Interim Athletics Director on January 16. We will share more information about this transition in the coming weeks.
As a part of Wake Forest Athletics, Scott will help lead a highly respected and growing brand in “Power 5” athletics and a charter member of the Atlantic Coast Conference. While he is joining a spirited WFU fan base of more than 2.7 million people, I know he will always hold a special place in his heart for our CSU Vikings. He has already promised me he will return for a visit later this winter so we can celebrate his time and impact at CSU in proper fashion.
For now, please join me in conveying our gratitude to Scott for all he has done for CSU and extending our sincere congratulations as he, Kristy, Matthew and Audrey make the transition into this new role with the Wake Forest Demon Deacons.
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