Jim Sterk, 44, came to WSU after serving for five years as the athletic director at Portland State. Sterk transformed Viking athletics through partnerships with the city and private donors. He improved athletic facilities, increased scholarship support for student athletes and led a program with winning teams. Sterk guided the school's move from NCAA Division II to Division I and the Big Sky Conference. Annual contributions to the school's Viking Club doubled during his leadership. He also assisted in the $37 million development of Portland's Civic Stadium, home for PSU football.
Prior to his appointment at PSU, Sterk worked at Tulane where he had been the athletic department's primary fund-raiser. During his time at Tulane, he helped recruit 3,200 new donors and raised an additional $8.6 million -- a 400 percent increase -- in gifts and pledges.
Mentor and friend Kevin White, athletic director at Notre Dame and formerly at Arizona State, said the WSU position is a perfect fit for Sterk.
"Quite frankly, his dream job has always been to lead the WSU program," said White. "Jim is highly skilled and very determined. Couple that with his unfailing passion for the Cougars and you have a wonderful recipe for great success."
Sterk grew up on a dairy farm near Everson in Whatcom County and is a 1979 Western Washington University graduate, where he played football and basketball. He was a linebacker, earned four varsity letters and was team captain. He also lettered in basketball in 1975.
