March 24, 2006
VIDEO (Mustang All-Access)
PRESS CONFERENCE PHOTO GALLERY
DALLAS (SMU) - Steve Orsini, the Director of Athletics at the University of Central Florida, has been named SMU's new Director of Athletics, President R. Gerald Turner announced today.
Orsini becomes the 12th Director of Athletics at SMU, taking over for Jim Copeland, who in February announced his retirement effective May 31. Orsini brings over 25 years of experience in athletic administration, with the last four coming as an A.D.
"Steve Orsini has the right combination of skills to continue moving SMU's athletics program forward," said President Turner. "In addition to his experience building an athletics program similar in size to ours, he brings a love of Dallas and business expertise that will help us build resources and fan support. He shares our commitment to competing at highest level, running a program with integrity, and graduating student athletes who are prepared for life after college. It is a pleasure to welcome him to SMU and back to Dallas."
Orsini was named Director of Athletics at UCF in June of 2002 and helped transform UCF into a top athletic program. He guided the Golden Knights to Conference USA membership and established the UCF Athletics Association, Inc., a private, non-profit, direct support organization of the University of Central Florida.
As part of a 70 percent increase in the department's budget during his tenure, Orsini increased funding for all sports while at UCF and the Golden Knights achieved immediate success under his leadership. During the 2004-05 academic year, six UCF teams advanced to NCAA play, including the men's basketball squad, which made its second consecutive trip to the NCAA Tournament. Competing in their last season in the Atlantic Sun Conference, the Golden Knights swept the league's all-sports awards, given to the top program in the conference, for the third straight year. UCF followed that up by advancing to the inaugural Conference USA Football Championship Game and its first-ever bowl appearance in the fall of 2005 after winning the C-USA Eastern Division crown. In all, 25 teams competed in postseason play during his time at UCF, and the Golden Knights posted their highest-ever NACDA Cup finishes in 2003-04 and 2004-05.
Orsini's tenure at UCF has been marked by growth. He oversaw major facility additions and renovations at UCF, including the completion of the Wayne Densch Sports Center and the Nicholson Fieldhouse, two of the top athletic facilities in the nation. He also initiated plans and secured financing for a new on-campus football stadium, a softball stadium complex, a rowing boathouse and a convocation center and arena as part of a $270 million mixed-use development - all of which are set to open by the fall of 2007.
Orsini expanded the Golden Knight fan base, with UCF setting all-time records in football season ticket sales and in revenues generated through ticket sales, corporate sponsorships and fundraising. He also saw UCF set attendance records for football and men's and women's basketball contests.
In addition to their successes on the field, Orsini made it a priority that Golden Knight student-athletes achieve success in the classroom as well. During the 2004-05 academic year, a record number of UCF student-athletes earned academic accolades, with the football team boasting the best fall semester team grade point average in the school's Division I-A history.
Prior to his appointment at UCF, Orsini spent three years as senior associate director of athletics for the Georgia Tech Athletic Association. In that capacity he was responsible for administration and business affairs for the Yellow Jackets. He played a pivotal role in the expansion of the football and baseball stadiums and also served as the tournament manager for the 2002 NCAA Final Four in the Georgia Dome.
Orsini, 49, joined the Georgia Tech staff after five years as the Associate Athletics Director and Treasurer at the U.S. Naval Academy Athletic Association. Previously, he spent 10 years in administration with the Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League.
A native of Hummelstown, Pa., Orsini graduated from the University of Notre Dame in 1978 with a degree in Business Administration, majoring in accounting. He was a three-time letter winner at fullback on the Fighting Irish football team and was one of four team captains on the 1977 national championship squad.
After graduation, he spent three years as Senior Assistant Accountant and became a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) in the New York office of the national accounting firm Deloitte, Haskins and Sells.
He began his career in athletics administration in 1981 as Assistant Business Manager and Ticket Manager at Notre Dame and remained in that capacity for three years until leaving to join the Dallas Cowboys as ticket manager in 1984. He became Director of Administration for the Cowboys in 1989, serving in that capacity until 1993 when he went back into private business as the Sales Controller for Fujitsu-ICL Systems, Inc. in Dallas. He resumed his career in athletics administration at the Naval Academy in 1994.
During his time at Navy, Orsini was responsible for all business and legal affairs and helped increase the Athletic Association's revenue by 70 percent. Responsible for the development of the department of External Affairs while at Navy, the program set all-time records at the school for season ticket sales, marketing and sponsorship revenues and fan attendance during his tenure.
Orsini is married to the former Amy Kertesz of South Bend, Ind., and the couple has a nine-year-old daughter, Angela.
Orsini will start his tenure at SMU on June 1, 2006.
Quotes from Friday's press conference are as follows:
Dr. R. Gerald Turner:
"We identified an individual that could build on the achievements of the decade that Jim and Susan Copeland worked with us for this athletic program. We wanted someone with the knowledge of your institution and who had experience leading intercollegiate athletic programs - who understood our need for marketing and getting the word out about SMU athletics. From the beginning, the name of Steve Orsini was given to us time and time again. When we started looking in at Steve Orsini, the more we looked, the more we liked."
"We looked for the all of the characteristics, experience and skill sets for this position - on top of that, having 10 years of marketing and business here in Dallas, it was just a great fit."
Steve Orsini -
"I must thank a lot of people and it starts with Dr. Turner. I am amazed at how he handled the process and more amazed about him as a person and a leader at this great university. I am very thankful to be on his team. I need to acknowledge Jim Copeland. Jim has made this a very attractive place. I was not that familiar with SMU - the best thing you can say about an AD is that he is leaving the department much better than how he got it. I will work hard to build upon the foundation you have left here."
"I am here because SMU has a very successful program and has all of the ingredients to build upon that success into greater success. That is very important me, to Dr. Turner and the whole community of SMU that athletics does their part toward achieving excellence like academics has done. You can be the best AD in the world, but if the President doesn't understand how athletics can help their higher educational institution, then athletics isn't going anywhere. I am here because of Dr. Turner and his commitment to athletics. That is evident in the facilities going up - not only academically but athletically at SMU. He has knowledge of athletics and he has his opinion and I listen."
"The fact that SMU is nationally competitive in admissions and academic services for student-athletes is very critical. We can be successful - we can compete in the nation. The athletic department here at SMU would not be here without the financial support of this university. I feel that the broad experience I have is a great fit for SMU. It all starts with my experience as a student-athlete. I wouldn't be here today if I wasn't a student-athlete. I want to return that opportunity to the student-athletes here at SMU."
"Every move I have made in my career - all moves were made for me to do a great job at SMU today, and I look forward to that."
"My goals for SMU athletics are all about the student-athlete. My focus is on the student-athlete. At Notre Dame, I was able to say that those were the best four years of my life at that time. I want them to leave here with a degree from SMU and say `I just had the best four years of my life'. My philosophy on how to have fun in athletics is spelled W-I-N. I want the student-athletes to be good role models representing SMU in the community. Our goals are to be top 25 in the nation - some already are, so I want them to be in the top 10."
"It is also important that intercollegiate athletics fulfill the role they play at SMU - to help build the community of SMU through athletics. It provides a great, quality gathering place. Athletics can help the whole community and rally around, build school spirit and really provide a sense of community."
The Steve Orsini File
- Hometown: Hummelstown, Pa.
- Education: The University of Notre Dame, 1978, Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration, Majoring in Accounting
- Family: He and his wife, Amy, have one daughter, Angela (9).
Steve Orsini Timeline:
- 2006- Director of Athletics, SMU
- 2002-2006 - Director of Athletics, UCF
- 1999-2002 - Senior Associate Director of Athletics, Georgia Tech
- 1994-1999 - Associate Director of Athletics and Treasurer, U.S. Naval Academy Athletics Association
- 1993-94 - Sales Controller, Fujitsu-ICL Systems
- 1984-93 - Director of Administration/Ticket Manager, Dallas Cowboys
- 1981-84 - Assistant Business Manager & Ticket Manager, Notre Dame
- 1978-81 - Senior Accountant, Deloitte, Haskins & Sells
What They Are Saying About Steve Orsini:
"Steve Orsini is a winner! His high level of personal and professional integrity coupled with his warm and engaging style will be a big hit in Dallas and with SMU. He had great success early in his career at the Naval Academy, the Dallas Cowboys, and most recently at Central Florida and I'm sure he will continue that success at SMU."
- Roger Staubach
"This is a blockbuster hire for SMU. Steve Orsini is one of the most capable administrators in the country. He made important contributions to our program at Georgia Tech, as he is so dedicated to the overall development of student-athletes. He understands the value of intercollegiate athletics in the academic setting of the institution and will make vital connections which will build relationships across the entire University."
- Dave Braine, Director of Athletics, Georgia Tech
"Steve Orsini is clearly one of the leaders within our Industry. Not unlike his highly successful tenure at the University of Central Florida, Steve will provide exciting leadership to SMU. Again, Steve represents a terrific hire!"
- Kevin White, Director of Athletics, Notre Dame
"Congratulations to SMU and Eastman & Beaudine on a terrific hire. Steve Orsini is a highly regarded athletics administrator who possesses an outstanding set of skills. His wealth of experience and track record of excellence from Notre Dame, the Dallas Cowboys, Navy, Georgia Tech and Central Florida will serve the SMU community extremely well."
- Ian McCaw, Director of Athletics, Baylor University
"Steve Orsini's return to Texas and this community is something that I welcome with great enthusiasm. Steve was a top quality administrator for the Dallas Cowboys - both for Tex Schramm and also in the early days of our family's ownership of the club. He was a great contributor to the success of this franchise and was invaluable to our transition period of ownership with the Cowboys. Since then he has become one of the nation's true rising stars in athletic administration on the collegiate level, and he has a track record of success, innovation and production."
- Stephen Jones, Chief Operating Officer, Dallas Cowboys
"Steve Orsini is an excellent choice for the Director of Athletics position at SMU. He brings a wealth of experience in the financial, marketing and fund raising areas that are all very critical areas for the success of an athletic program today."
- Jack Lengyel, Former Director of Athletics, Navy
"Besides being an outstanding athletic administrator, Steve Orsini is a great person. He understands that people are the heart and soul of all that matters and will do all he can to strengthen programs with a focus on the people. His leadership skills liberate people and that is the essence of him."
- Gene Smith, Director of Athletics, Ohio State University
"Steve Orsini brings a unique combination of professional experiences and skill set to this position, which seem a perfect fit for both he and SMU. The common denominator is that professionally he has been at great places in major markets: the Dallas Cowboys, the U.S. Naval Academy, Georgia Tech, and the University of Central Florida. SMU is consistent with that pedigree. He completely understands the business of intercollegiate athletics, yet without forgetting that, in the end, as it was for him in his football career at Notre Dame, it is ultimately about the student-athlete."
- Rick Chryst, Commissioner, Mid-American Conference
