Lisa Love, Arizona State's Vice President of Athletics, has been fired, sources told The Republic on Wednesday. The university made it official at an 11 a.m. news conference Wednesday to announce Steve Patterson as the school's new Vice President of Athletics.

According to ASU's release, Love is leaving the school to pursue other opportunities, but sources told The Republic that ASU President Michael Crow met with Love on Tuesday and at some point relieved her of her duties.

Patterson, hired in July as the chief operating officer of Sun Devil athletics and managing director of the Sun Devil Sports Group, will take Love's position, subject to the approval of the Arizona Board of Regents. He will consolidate his duties as Managing Director of the Sun Devil Sports Group into his new responsibilities.

Love was hired in April of 2005. During her time at ASU, she made the school's biggest hires, including football coaches Dennis Erickson and Todd Graham, as well as basketball coach Herb Sendek. Both programs have struggled.

"I wish to thank Lisa for seven years of excellent service," Crow said in a release. "During her tenure here ASU won seven national championships and the academic performance and graduation rates of our student athletes improved dramatically."

Said Patterson: "I'm excited that Dr. Crow gave me the opportunity to oversee Sun Devil athletics. We expect to have a program that consistently competes for Pac-12 championships, with athletes that graduate, connect and serve our community, and operate with integrity, discipline and respect. It's time for our men's basketball and football programs to compete for championships and perform at the same level as our successful spring sports."

ASU's national titles during Love's tenure

2007 women's indoor track & field

2007 women's outdoor track & field

2008 women's indoor track & field

2008 men's indoor track & field

2008 softball

2009 women's golf

2011 softball

Conference coaches of the year during Love's tenure

2007 - Dennis Erickson, football

2008 - Clint Myers, softball

2010 - Herb Sendek, men's basketball

2010 - Tim Esmay, baseball

2011 - Clint Myers, softball

2011 - Shawn Charles, wrestling