A new era in Portland State Athletics begins in 2015 as Mark Rountree has been named Director of Athletics for the Vikings program. University President Wim Wiewel confirmed the selection of Rountree after a national search this past fall.

"We are very excited to have Mark join us. He brings vast experience across all areas of Athletics, and has the energy and passion PSU Athletics deserve," said President Wiewel.

Rountree, who is currently the Deputy Athletics Director at Miami University of Ohio, assumes the leadership of the Portland State Athletics program on Jan. 20. He takes over a Viking program that has won 28 conference team championships and made 17 NCAA post-season appearances since 2003.

"I am absolutely thrilled at the chance to lead the Athletic Department at Portland State," said Rountree. "I owe a sincere thanks to President Wiewel, Dr. Lockwood, and the members of the search committee for this opportunity. It's not a tough decision to become a Viking: great university, great city, and great people make this a unique opportunity for our coaches and student-athletes to have success in the classroom and on the field. I believe our teams and their success will connect students, alumni, and the community to PSU, and I look forward to engaging the university community at all levels."

Rountree's schedule will be full upon his arrival on the Park Blocks. Among other tasks, he will be charged with getting the Viking Pavilion Project - a $44 million upgrade to the Peter W. Stott Center - under construction; assisting with the turnaround of a football program that has had only one winning season in the past eight years; and shepherding new growth in athletics development and fund-raising.

"It will be very important for me to hit the ground running, and meet with everyone who has a stake in the success of Portland State Athletics," Rountree said. "Identifying our priorities and aligning them with the University's mission will be paramount.  With the Viking Pavilion project continuing, there is a tremendous amount of momentum for fundraising and generating revenue, and I intend to seize that momentum and never let up. The plan is to make Viking Athletics a source of pride for Portland State and the city of Portland."

"The search committee was extremely impressed by Mark's experience, energy, competitive spirit and work ethic," said Dr. Robert Lockwood, search committee chair and PSU Faculty Athletic Representative. "Mark is committed to developing an athletic department that would be student-athlete centered."

When he begins in late January, Rountree will take over for Valerie Cleary, who has served as Portland State's interim Director of Athletics since October. Cleary served as the interim AD after Torre Chisholm resigned following seven years on the job. Cleary will return to her previous role as Associate Athletics Director and Senior Woman Administrator at Portland State.

Rountree has more than two decades in collegiate athletics administration. Since March of 2013, Rountree has been the Deputy Athletics Director at Miami University of Ohio. His role has been overseeing the daily operation of a program consisting of 19 sports, 130 staff members and more than 500 student-athletes. He was the sport supervisor for football and men's basketball, and oversaw the Director of Business Operations, Director of Compliance, Director of Strength and Conditioning, Assistant Athletic Director for Academics, Assistant Athletic Director for Equipment Operations and Assistant Director of Administration. In addition, Rountree was the Chief Financial Officer for a $26.4 million budget and responsible for strategic planning.

Prior to his time at Miami, Rountree spent five years at Georgetown University as Senior Associate Athletic Director for Internal Operations. He also has experience working in the Northwest, as he spent 2004-08 as the Associate Athletic Director for Compliance at Oregon State University.

A native of West Monroe, Louisiana, Rountree attended Louisiana Tech University where he earned a Bachelors of Science in History in 1991. He also was a four-year letterman on the Bulldogs football team.

Rountree's collegiate athletics administration career began in 1991 at Louisiana Tech as the Director of Academic Support. He served as Assistant Athletics Director at Texas-Pan American from 1994-97 before moving to Maryland as Compliance Coordinator from 1997-2000. Rountree was Assistant Athletic Director for Compliance at Towson from 2000 to 2004.

An introductory press conference for Mark Rountree will take place on Monday, Jan. 5, at 1 p.m. in the Peter W. Stott Center. 

THE MARK ROUNTREE FILE
Portland State Director of Athletics

Alma Mater: Louisiana Tech, 1991, BS, History
Playing Career: Louisiana Tech football
Hometown: West Monroe, Louisiana
Date of Birth: 8/22/69
Wife: Jennie

PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE
2013-14    Miami (OH), Deputy Athletics Director
2008-13    Georgetown, Senior Associate Athletics Director for Internal Operations
2004-08    Oregon State, Associate Athletics Director for Compliance
2000-04    Towson, Assistant Athletics Director for Compliance
1997-2000    Maryland, Compliance Coordinator
1994-97    Texas-Pan American, Assistant Athletics Director
1991-94    Louisiana Tech, Director of Academic Support