News brief: OSU athletics director De Carolis resigns

CORVALLIS – Athletics director Bob De Carolis announced Monday that he is leaving Oregon State University after leading the athletic department for nearly 13 years and working in athletics administration at the university for 17 years.

De Carolis said he will leave his position on June 30.

"There is never an optimal time for decisions like this, especially after 17 years of a journey," De Carolis said in a press release. "However, I believe we are in the best possible position in Oregon State University's history to have success on and off the field. As a next step in my life and career, I am looking forward to other exciting opportunities in the world of intercollegiate athletics."

Oregon State President Ed Ray said he greatly appreciated De Carolis' many years of service and acknowledged his achievements while at OSU.

"Bob has provided many important and lasting contributions to Oregon State University," Ray said in a press release. "There is good reason why he is known as 'Bob the Builder'. He has completed more than $180 million in improvements to Oregon State athletic facilities, including the eastside expansion of Reser Stadium. And he continues to work on another transformative project – the $42 million expansion of the Valley Football Center within Reser Stadium.

"Bob's contributions were never solely about bricks and mortar," Ray continued. "His first passion has always been about our student-athletes and their success on the field, in the classroom and in life and career. When it came to athletic competition, Bob was clear in his requirement that Oregon State would win the right way and would compete for championships and win with integrity."