The University of California-Santa Barbara made official Thursday afternoon its hiring of University of Massachusetts athletic director John McCutcheon for the same position, effective March 2.

McCutcheon, who's directed UMass athletics since February 2004, will be introduced by UC Santa Barbara in a press conference on Tuesday. His final day at UMass will be Feb. 20.

"I want to thank everyone at the university including the coaches, student-athletes, my athletic department staff, the administration and our many supporters," McCutcheon said in a statement released by UMass.

"I have had the pleasure to work with great people over the last 11 years. It's truly been a special experience, and my family and I will always cherish our time here. We love UMass and think the world of the university. It has been a very rewarding time for me professionally, and I think we accomplished many positive things by working together. I think we have positioned the university extremely well for the future and I am very proud of that."

Added UMass chancellor Kumble R. Subbaswamy: "John McCutcheon has led the university through an era of outstanding growth and success for more than a decade. He cares deeply about our student-athletes, and supported their success both on and off the field. Under John's leadership, our athletics program meets the highest standards of academic integrity. He has played a vital role in elevating the stature of our flagship campus."

Per the release, "an announcement on naming an interim athletic director will be issued in the near future as will information on a search committee."

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