CORVALLIS, Ore. - Oregon State University's athletic director Scott Barnes will retire effective Aug. 31 after more than eight years leading the program.
President Jayathi Murthy announced the retirement Thursday. Barnes has led OSU Athletics since Feb. 13, 2017.
Barnes will stay on as a senior advisor for athletics through Aug. 31, 2027. He played a key role in preserving and rebuilding the new Pac-12 Conference set to launch July 1.
"I am very grateful to Scott for his many years of dedication and commitment to Oregon State University, its athletics program and OSU student-athletes," Murthy said. "His leadership and integrity helped guide the Pac-12 and Oregon State University through a very tumultuous time, and the launch of the new Pac-12 Conference this summer will forever be an integral and far-reaching part of his legacy."
Barnes represented the Pac-12 in implementing the House settlement, which enables revenue sharing with student-athletes. He focused on developing the university's more than 400 student-athletes across 17 sports programs.
According to Murthy, Barnes started the conversation about his retirement last August. The two worked together to find the best path forward, with the new conference launch presenting an optimal time for the transition.
"I want to express my sincere gratitude to the student-athletes and coaches I've had the privilege to serve, as well as the colleagues I've worked alongside throughout this journey," Barnes said. "Above all, I am deeply thankful for my wife, Jody, who has been my partner in every sense and a constant source of strength and support."
During Barnes' time at OSU, the athletic program saw major competitive success. The baseball team won a national championship, women's basketball reached the Elite Eight, men's basketball made an Elite Eight run, men's soccer appeared in the College Cup and softball competed in the Women's College World Series.
Oregon State teams earned 13 conference championships and 40 individual conference titles under his leadership. Student-athletes set department records for cumulative and term grade point averages, with multiple terms seeing every program achieve a 3.0 or higher.
Barnes led fundraising efforts that resulted in major facilities upgrades. These include the westside remodel of Reser Stadium, the Baseball Development Center, the Whyte Track and Field Center and a 20,000-square-foot gymnastics practice facility.
"On behalf of the OSU Foundation, I want to thank Scott Barnes for his partnership and leadership in advancing philanthropy for Oregon State Athletics," said Shawn Scoville, president and CEO of the Oregon State University Foundation. Athletics fundraising averaged $27.5 million annually over the past three years, with this fiscal year already exceeding that pace.
Murthy emphasized that OSU's commitment to athletics and the Pac-12 remains strong. She said the university will make bold moves based on data to support coaches and advance Oregon State's athletics success.
Before joining OSU, Barnes served as athletic director at the University of Pittsburgh starting in spring 2015. He spent seven years as athletic director at Utah State and nearly three years at the University of Washington as senior associate athletic director for advancement.
OSU plans to hire a search firm to conduct a national search for a new athletic director. The university will appoint members of a search committee in the coming weeks and expects to name a new athletic director in the coming months.
President Jayathi Murthy announced the retirement Thursday. Barnes has led OSU Athletics since Feb. 13, 2017.
Barnes will stay on as a senior advisor for athletics through Aug. 31, 2027. He played a key role in preserving and rebuilding the new Pac-12 Conference set to launch July 1.
"I am very grateful to Scott for his many years of dedication and commitment to Oregon State University, its athletics program and OSU student-athletes," Murthy said. "His leadership and integrity helped guide the Pac-12 and Oregon State University through a very tumultuous time, and the launch of the new Pac-12 Conference this summer will forever be an integral and far-reaching part of his legacy."
Barnes represented the Pac-12 in implementing the House settlement, which enables revenue sharing with student-athletes. He focused on developing the university's more than 400 student-athletes across 17 sports programs.
According to Murthy, Barnes started the conversation about his retirement last August. The two worked together to find the best path forward, with the new conference launch presenting an optimal time for the transition.
"I want to express my sincere gratitude to the student-athletes and coaches I've had the privilege to serve, as well as the colleagues I've worked alongside throughout this journey," Barnes said. "Above all, I am deeply thankful for my wife, Jody, who has been my partner in every sense and a constant source of strength and support."
During Barnes' time at OSU, the athletic program saw major competitive success. The baseball team won a national championship, women's basketball reached the Elite Eight, men's basketball made an Elite Eight run, men's soccer appeared in the College Cup and softball competed in the Women's College World Series.
Oregon State teams earned 13 conference championships and 40 individual conference titles under his leadership. Student-athletes set department records for cumulative and term grade point averages, with multiple terms seeing every program achieve a 3.0 or higher.
Barnes led fundraising efforts that resulted in major facilities upgrades. These include the westside remodel of Reser Stadium, the Baseball Development Center, the Whyte Track and Field Center and a 20,000-square-foot gymnastics practice facility.
"On behalf of the OSU Foundation, I want to thank Scott Barnes for his partnership and leadership in advancing philanthropy for Oregon State Athletics," said Shawn Scoville, president and CEO of the Oregon State University Foundation. Athletics fundraising averaged $27.5 million annually over the past three years, with this fiscal year already exceeding that pace.
Murthy emphasized that OSU's commitment to athletics and the Pac-12 remains strong. She said the university will make bold moves based on data to support coaches and advance Oregon State's athletics success.
Before joining OSU, Barnes served as athletic director at the University of Pittsburgh starting in spring 2015. He spent seven years as athletic director at Utah State and nearly three years at the University of Washington as senior associate athletic director for advancement.
OSU plans to hire a search firm to conduct a national search for a new athletic director. The university will appoint members of a search committee in the coming weeks and expects to name a new athletic director in the coming months.
