Izzi is ‘Eaters’ new AD

Mike Izzi, a finalist for the UC Irvine athletic director job in 2002 and an associate athletic director for sports administration and development at Stanford, was named athletic director at UCI on Monday.

Izzi, 47, a former javelin thrower at UCLA, spent 16 years at Stanford, where he was the primary supervisor for several sports and he implemented fundraising efforts including the $90 million renovation of the school’s football stadium.

Izzi becomes the Anteaters’ seventh full-time athletic director. He replaces Bob Chichester who announced his resignation in June and left Aug. 1.

Paula Smith, UCI’s senior women’s administrator, will continue as interim athletic director through the end of the month.

“I am privileged and honored to be named the new athletic director at UC Irvine and very excited about becoming part of the Irvine family,” Izzi said in a statement. “I am very impressed by UC Irvine’s support for its student-athletes — in both academic and athletic arenas — and by the level of alumni and community participation, which I am eager to enhance.

“I look forward to building upon the current foundation to attain the highest possible level of success.”

Dave Snow, chair of the search committee, said Izzi was one of four finalists.

“He rose to the top because of his extensive experience and demonstrated competence in community outreach and development at Stanford,” Snow said.

Izzi will get a five-year contract, calling for an annual base salary of $190,000. He will receive a $40,000 signing bonus and the school will pay his moving expenses.

“I am thrilled that we have recruited Mike Izzi to be our new athletic director,” UCI Chancellor Michael Drake said.

Izzi takes over after a 2006-07 school year that produced unprecedented success. UCI won the NCAA men’s volleyball title in May and the baseball program finished third at the College World Series in June.

UCI finished first among Division I non-football schools in the annual Directors’ Cup competition.

— From staff reports