FORT COLLINS, Colo.-- Colorado State University interim director of athletics John Morris will be the new director of athletics at Tufts University, it was announced by Tufts. Morris, who joined the CSU Athletics staff in 2012 as deputy athletics director, has served as interim director of athletics since August 2014.

Morris will maintain his position at Colorado State at least into spring to assist with the transition to a new director of athletics.

"My family and I are very excited about the terrific opportunity that awaits us at Tufts University," Morris said. "At the same time, it is very difficult to leave a place as special as Colorado State. Fort Collins has been a great home for us, and it has been an honor to serve at this world-class university under President Tony Frank's leadership. I am pleased that the timing of my move to Tufts will enable me to help assure a smooth transition for the new A.D."

Prior to coming to Colorado State, Morris served as the senior associate athletic director for eight years at the University of Washington, where he managed several sports programs, in addition to overseeing the athletic department's NCAA rules compliance program and the student-athlete academic support unit.

"I will always cherish my time at CSU," Morris continued, "and I am grateful I was able to share a few years with a group of extremely talented and dedicated coaches and staff, who are passionate about developing and educating young people and providing them with the best possible student-athlete experience. I also will miss the incredible Ram student-athletes, who inspire me daily and remind me how lucky I am to do what I do."

The university is presently in the process of hiring a new athletics director. With strong interest in the job nationwide, the search committee expects to complete its work within the next month.

"I'm tremendously thankful to John for all that he's accomplished at CSU during his time as both interim athletics director and deputy athletics director," President Tony Frank said. "John has been a rock solid performer, and I encouraged him to stay in the candidate pool for the permanent athletics director role. But John believes that this move is best for him both personally and professionally, and I respect that. I will personally miss his leadership and friendship, and the entire Ram family joins me in wishing John and his family the very best in the future."

"Dr. Frank has been a great leader, mentor and friend, and I'm appreciative of his encouragement to compete for the privilege to be the next A.D. at Colorado State," Morris said. "While the decision to leave CSU did not come easily, I feel very strongly that this opportunity at Tufts is the right fit for my family and me. My experiences here at CSU have helped prepare me for this new adventure and I'm very excited to take on the challenges ahead."