DONS SPORTS NEWS Contact: Peter Simon, Associate Director of Athletics, 2130 Fulton St., San Francisco, CA 94117 415/422-6161 Fax: 415/422-2929 email: simon@usfca.edu http:\\www.usfdons.com DEBRA GORE-MANN NAMED USF ATHLETICS DIRECTOR HELPED LEAD STANFORD TO UNPRECEDENTED SUCCESS San Francisco, CA (July 21, 2006) Former Stanford Athletics Administrator Debra Gore-Mann has been named Athletics Director at the University of San Francisco effective August 1. Gore-Mann is the first female Director of Athletics at USF and just the third overall in West Coast Conference history. Gore-Mann, who served as the Senior Associate Athletic Director and Senior Women s Administrator since 1999, played a key role in the Stanford Athletics program that has won an unprecedented 12 consecutive Sports Academy Director s Cups, signifying the most successful Division I Athletic Department in the Nation. During her tenure in Palo Alto the Cardinal captured 14 Division I National Championships. Gore-Mann becomes just the third athletic director at USF since 1985 and is excited about the opportunity for continued success on the Hilltop. I am tremendously excited and humbled by the opportunity to be the Director of Athletics at the University of San Francisco. I want to sincerely thank Dave Macmillan and all those who participated in the interview process for your vote of confidence. I also would not have been prepared for this opportunity if it were not for so many wonderful people who have supported me over the years. I am indebted to both Dr. Ted Leland and Mr. Tim Warner who were instrumental in teaching me to pursue excellence when working in academic and athletic administration. We are very pleased to have Debi join us as our new Director of Athletics, said USF Vice-President for University Advancement David Macmillan. Her experience, talents and dynamism are an ideal match to the qualifications needed to continue the momentum that has been built in the last few years. The Dons captured the West Coast Conference s Men s All-Sports Award in 2005-06 for the first time ever and enjoyed the most successful spring sports season in school history in 2006. I decided to join the University of San Francisco because, first and foremost, I am impressed with the staff, coaches and student-athletes that I have had the opportunity to meet and look forward to working with everyone, Gore-Mann said. Secondly, I have always been attracted to a strong academic institution -- which USF is. And I would be remiss if I did not mention the influence my husband, Anthony Mann, had on the decision both as an alumnus and a huge advocate for USF Athletics. At Stanford, Ms. Gore-Mann reported directly to Dr. Ted Leland, revered as one of the nation s most respected athletic directors, named one of the 10 most influential persons in college athletics by Sports Business Journal. At Stanford s Department of Athletics, Debra served as Senior Associate Athletic Director for Finance and Operations from 1999-2005 and most recently served as Senior Associate Athletics Director for External Operations and Senior Women s Administrator. She shared financial responsibility for the more than $50 million annual Stanford Athletic Department and shared management of Stanford s 34 sports. Gore-Mann served as Senior Project Manager on the recent Stanford Stadium renovations, overseeing all facets and promotion. She also served as the lead negotiator on Stanford s model all-school apparel contract with Nike, Inc. and brokered contracts with multiple equipment sponsors throughout the department.
We think that Debi can help us in many ways including developing new revenue streams, better utilization of our existing resources and establishing a greater presence in The City and the entire Bay Area. Her leadership as a Senior Women s Administrator will undoubtedly strengthen our efforts to build competitiveness in all our women s programs. She will add to the significant progress made in achieving the goals of Reaching New Heights strategic plan, including first ever NCAA appearances in baseball and volleyball, two consecutive WCC men s soccer titles, and best ever finishes in men s and women s cross-country, Macmillan said. Head men s basketball coach Jessie Evans, out of town for coaches meetings, is quoted as saying, "I would like to express my personal excitement in the hiring of Debi and join the university community in welcoming her to the Hilltop. Prior to her tenure at Stanford, Gore-Mann worked in the corporate sector for Bechtel Enterprises, Inc (1993-99), Morgan Stanley & Co. (1987-92) and Raychem Corp (1982-85). Gore-Mann worked in corporate development and project finance with Bechtel and was the business developer for the City of Portland on the Portland Light Rail Project. During her tenure at Morgan Stanley, Gore-Mann worked as an associate in fixed income sales and capital markets and served as a business planner with Raychem. Gore-Mann graduated with an MBA from Stanford with an emphasis on Capital Markets and Finance in 1987. No stranger to the demands and challenges of student-athletes, Gore-Mann played basketball on the Farm from 1978-82 and led the Cardinal to its inaugural NCAA Tournament berth during her senior campaign. Gore-Mann graduated Stanford with an undergraduate degree in industrial engineering in 1982. Gore-Mann maintained ties to women s basketball, serving as a broadcaster on various college and professional games for ESPN, PrimeTicket, BET Sports and Fox Sports Net. Gore-Mann replaces Dr. Bill Hogan, who accepted the Director of Athletics position at Seattle University after 15 years at the University of San Francisco. I hope to be able to live up to the high quality of leadership that Dr. Bill Hogan has established for the Green and Gold, Gore-Mann said. Debi is married to former USF varsity basketball player Anthony Mann, who was a member of the 1985-86 Return to Basketball squad and has a 10-year old daughter, Quinci. TRANSACTIONS: College: San Francisco: Named Debra Gore-Mann Director of Athletics.
What Others Are Saying About USF Athletic Director Debi Gore-Mann: Congratulations to the University of San Francisco and Debi Gore-Mann. Debi will be a terrific addition to the administration. I welcomed Debi into Stanford Athletics some six years ago and it is wonderful to see her receive this opportunity for leadership. Jerry Porras Lane Professor of Organizational Behavior and Change, Emeritus Stanford University, Graduate School of Business Co-author of Built To Last: Successful Habits of Visionary Companies, one of Forbes 20 most influential business books Debi Gore-Mann is a very bright, highly qualified athletics administrator. She always was able not only to understand difficult issues, but to be a participant among a group in developing solutions. Debi is always supportive of Conference initiatives. She is capable of success in her new position as Athletic Director at the University of San Francisco. Tom Hansen Commissioner Pacific-10 Conference My heartfelt congratulations to Debi. She is dedicated to both the academic and athletic excellence of all studentathletes and she will make an excellent Director of Athletics. Dr. Condoleezza Rice Political Science Professor on leave from Stanford University. Debi was great for me to work for. She was effective in getting things done that needed to get done and helped us build a first class men s basketball program at Stanford. I m very excited for her and her new challenge. I am confident she will do a great job at USF. Mike Montgomery Head Coach Golden State Warriors Former Stanford Men s Head Basketball Coach Debi Gore-Mann is a strong advocate for the student and also understands the big picture. Her financial acumen is well documented. In short, given my 27 years of experience in the business I would rank her in the top 2% of athletic administrators that I have worked with. Bob De Carolis Director of Athletics Oregon State University Debi has always contributed an experienced, thoughtful perspective to every discussion and every problem encountered. Her time at Stanford gave her unmatched experiences that define what it takes to be excellent in athletics without compromising the educational values of an institution. I have found her to be very bright, reliable, and diligent in every thing that she does. Todd Turner Athletic Director University of Washington The University of San Francisco hit the jackpot when it was decided to hire Debi Gore-Mann as the University's new Athletic Director. Throughout the years I've seen her excel in her field with an energy and passion that is contagious. I often have relied on her advice and ideas on negotiation strategies and management issues. Her ability to communicate and relate to people of all ages and from all walks of life is second to none. I congratulate both Debi and the University on this selection. Ken Williams Senior Vice President/General Manager Chicago White Sox, Major League Baseball 2005 World Series Champions
I am a huge fan and supporter of Debi Gore-Mann. Simply stated, she will make a phenomenal Athletics Director. I believe that very firmly. She is highly intelligent, imminently qualified, and well respected nationally. She is very well connected in both men s and women s basketball circles. She will be a wonderful addition to the West Coast Conference, and will no doubt run a formidable program. Dan Coonan Athletic Director University of Santa Clara "Debi Gore-Mann was the administrator assigned to Women's Volleyball since my arrival at Stanford. She is great! A very intelligent, honest, hard working, experienced, professional who is ready for the step up to Athletic Director. I would be excited to have the opportunity to work with her again in the future. My best wishes to Debi and her family at the University of San Francisco." John Dunning Stanford Head Coach Women's Volleyball 2001 & 2004 NCAA Division I Champions Debi Gore-Mann has always been a strong supporter of the Track & Field staff and student-athletes at Stanford. She played a major role in hiring the current staff which consists of national, international and Olympic level coaches. Her insights and knowledge will be missed by the entire Track and Field staff and student-athletes as well. Congratulations to both Debi and Anthony on this wonderful opportunity. Edrick Floreal Director of Men s and Women s Track and Field Program Stanford Athletics I know Debi to be one of the brightest senior level administrators in the country with a solid base of expertise. Debi understands winning in the right way and is a strong recruiter where recruiting is the life line to success in college athletics. Rodney Tention, USF 88 Head Coach, Men s Basketball Loyola Marymount University University of San Francisco Alumnus former basketball player Debi is a very experienced administrator who really knows the state of college sports. Debi really has a passion for sports and truly cares about the experience of every student-athlete, both women and men. I believe Debi will bring great organizational skills and a strong work ethic to her leadership role at the University of San Francisco. There is no doubt she will be a visionary for the USF athletic department and provide the integrity and values necessary to lead the young student-athletes of today. Alvin Attles, Sr. Vice President, Assistant General Manager Golden State Warriors Debi Gore-Mann is someone whom I hold in the highest regard both professionally and personally. She is articulate, intelligent, hard working and most of all fundamentally grounded in the understanding that in college sports to be successful one must be grounded in the values of higher education. It is with great enthusiasm and without reservation that I have endorsed Debi. Congratulations to the University of San Francisco for such a hire. Kit Morris College Sports Marketing NIKE, Inc. Debi worked well with a wide variety of people at Stanford student-athletes, alumni and staff. I am very impressed with her positive views and her ability to get things done. Tim Warner Vice Provost for Budget and Auxiliaries, Stanford University
In all my experiences from my college student-athlete days to my current career in the National Basketball Association with the Los Angeles Lakers, I have encountered few people with the strong interpersonal and executive skills that Debi has. Debi embodies for me what college athletics is all about. Debi is about winning but doing it the right way. Debi knows about being a true student in the classroom while still pursuing athletic success at every level. My heartfelt congratulations to Debi and Anthony. Brian Shaw Assistant Coach Los Angeles Lakers, NBA 2000, 2001, 2002 NBA World Champions Debi Gore-Mann is an outstanding choice to be the Director of Athletics at USF. Not only does she have excellent leadership skills and extensive knowledge of inter-collegiate athletics, she understands the important balance between athletics and academics. Additionally, as a San Francisco native, and someone who grew up down the street from USF, I am very excited that a leader of Debi s caliber has been selected to carry on the spirit and tradition of USF athletics. Lori S. White, Ph.D. Associate Vice President for Student Affairs University of Southern California I have found Debi to be conscientious, a strong advocate where necessary, an agent of positive change, detail oriented, responsive, helpful and a team player. Mariann Byerwalter Chief Financial Officer for Stanford University (February 1996 to June 2000) Stanford Board of Trustees (since 2002) I was able to witness first-hand how Debi basically managed and operated the Athletic Department side by side with Ted Leland, both from her position as CFO, and certainly during the time of Ted Leland's sabbatical. I have been impressed with her capabilities and congratulate the University of San Francisco for an excellent hire. Chuck Armstrong President Seattle Mariners Baseball Team She is an excellent choice. I ve known her for three years working on NCAA committees. I whole-heartedly endorse her. Dr. William Edwards USF NCAA Faculty Representative I believe Debi will be very supportive of coaches and their work in recruiting. She is familiar with USF and brings passion and energy. Jim Brovelli, USF 64 USF Men s Basketball Coach, 1984-95, Hall of Fame Player Undeniably, Debra Gore-Mann possesses the energy and passion necessary to create a new legacy for USF athletics. What impressed me most was her personal commitment and sincere interest to expand the opportunities for student-athletes. Athletes want to feel supported and valued by their administration and Debra intends on doing exactly that. Renée Stribling USF Women s Cross Country & Track