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July 2, 2013

ULM President introduces Brian Wickstrom as ULM's new Athletic Director

ULM President Dr. Nick J. Bruno officially introduced Brian Wickstrom as the new Athletic Director at the University of Louisiana at Monroe during a press conference, July 2, in the ULM Library.

Bruno said, "I'm very confident to say we have the right person for this job. After much consideration, I have selected Brian Wickstrom as the university's new athletic director. Brian has relevant experience and possesses a strong record of effective fundraising.

"Throughout the interview process, he was able to convey a vision for our athletic program that is consistent with what I envision for ULM. His enthusiasm and personality are contagious, which will allow him to connect with all of our constituents."

Wickstrom explained his values to the packed room.

He said, "My four core values are relationships, integrity, service and excellence. I want to build relationships with everyone I can … I want to do everything with integrity. I want to provide great service to our student-athletes, to our fans, to our donors, to the people of this community. I want to do great in the classroom, and I want to do great in the athletic competition.

"If we follow those four core values, we're going to be a department that's proud, were going to be a community that's proud, were going to be an institution that's proud, and were going to win championships."

Also during the press conference, Wickstrom spoke about how athletic success can increase community involvement.

"Athletics is going to be something that can trigger growth and positive perception. Athletics can do remarkable things for everybody in this community. For that, athletics will get some good support. We're going to sell season tickets; we're going to grow crowds."

He is married to Celina, and together they have three children: Vince, 5; John Christian, 2; David, 9 months.

Wickstrom has worked as the Director of Athletics for the University of California, Riverside since July 2011.

He has served in various roles in athletics departments across the country since 1998.

In 1991, he earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration/Finance before receiving his Master of Business Administration/Management in 1992, both from Kansas State University.

He earned a Master of Sports Administration from Ohio University in 1999 and a Doctor of Education/Educational Leadership from Eastern Michigan University in 2006.

Bruno expressed his appreciation to the ULM Athletic Director Search Committee.

"The search committee worked very diligently to provide me with three outstanding candidates from which to choose."

ULM search committee members were guided by search counsel CarrSports Consulting LLC.

CarrSports served as a resource to the committee, conducting analyses of ULM Athletics to create the best possible criteria for finding the next Athletic Director.

The Athletic Director Search Committee is comprised of 11 members. They are:

• Mr. Scott McDonald, Committee Chair and Executive Vice President at Ouachita Independent Bank;

• Dr. Mary Adams, Associate Professor of English at ULM;

• Mr. Brett Bennett, Assistant Professor and Head of Radiologic Technology at ULM;

• Ms. Karen Crowley, Associate University Registrar at ULM;

• Mr. Jeff Foote, owner of Homes Plus Manufactured Housing, Inc.;

• Ms. Susan Hoffmann, North Louisiana Market President of JP Morgan Chase;

• Mr. Leon Miletello, entrepreneur;

• Mr. Pat Mitchell, CEO, President, and owner of St. Joseph Holdings LLC;

• Mr. Brian Moreau, owner of BMO Ventures;

• Mr. Lou St. Amant, retired teacher and former ULM head baseball coach;

• Mr. Harold Turner, President of Shreveport-Bossier Region Red River Bank.

Wickstrom's appointment is pending approval by the UL System Board of Supervisors.

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