Director of Athletics Search

Contribute to the future of CSUSM's Athletics Department

The search for the next Athletics Director at CSUSM is currently underway, and your participation in this process is crucial to ensure the best candidate is identified for the role.

To ensure the inclusion of all viewpoints, Mammoth Consulted, the search firm conducting the search,  hosted several focus groups. These focus groups gathered insights and perspectives from various stakeholders within the CSUSM community regarding the qualities, qualifications, and priorities desired in the new Athletics Director.

Your input throughout this process will play a vital role in shaping the selection criteria and ensuring that the chosen candidate aligns with our institution's values and goals. Your participation and contributions are highly encouraged.

Open Forums

• Candidate A | June 24, 2024 | 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

  James (Jim) Hamad is foremost a devoted husband, father, and son, with a competitive spirit. In a careerspanning two decades, he held student development positions in three NCAA DI athletic departments and now serves as vice president at a DIII institution. Jim credits much of hissuccess to his transformational leadership style, direct communication, and ability to collaborate to accomplish institutional goals. He keeps his passion for student development and creating an elite student-athlete experience at the center of decisions. Jim enjoys an active lifestyle and plansactivities around his kids’ endless youth sports. Raised in Akron, Ohio and a supporter of Cleveland sports teams, he lives a challenging fandom life.

  Location: The Hub, ADM 2302 or via Zoom: https://csusm.zoom.us/j/89257304895 

  Resume

  Feedback Form

  View Recording

• Candidate B | June 25, 2024 | 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

  Greg Paules is the Senior Associate Athletics Director/ COO for Cal State Fullerton Athletics and sits on the VPSA Cabinet. Promoted to this role in Dec. 2020, he oversees all external relations and is the sport supervision for many teams. Joining CSUF in 2013 as the Associate Athletic Director for Development, Paules generated more than $20 million during the first comprehensive campaign in school history. More dollars were raised under Paules than had been raised during the first 55 years of the institution’s existence. Prior to Cal State Fullerton, Paules spent 8 years at UC Irvine serving in a variety of external relation roles. Paules graduated with a bachelor's degree in Sociology and a minor in Education from UCI and earned an MBA in 2009.

  Location: The Hub, ADM 2302 or via Zoom: https://csusm.zoom.us/j/82651221447

  Resume

  Feedback Form

  View Recording

• Candidate C | June 26, 2024 | 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

  Travis Whipple currently serves as the Director of Athletics at Fort Lewis College. At the helm, the department has reached new milestones. The Skyhawks surpassed 3,000 hours of service, maintained a GPA above 3.25, and ensured a vibrant campus life. FLC also elevated to the top 20 nationally in the DII All-Sports Cup this Fall for the first time in program history.
  
  Under Whipple’s guidance, FLC developed a multi-year strategic plan, added new sports, increased roster sizes, boasted a 92% retention rate, and secured a $4 M partnership to establish a performance center while doubling overall external support.
  
  Travis is a former DII student-athlete with an M.S. in Educational Leadership-Sports Management. He brings over 16 years of senior-level experience, primarily in DI and Division II.

  Location: The Hub, ADM 2302 or via Zoom: https://csusm.zoom.us/j/81035055348  

  Resume

  Feedback Form

  View Recording

• Candidate D | June 27, 2024 | 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

  Morod Shah is the Interim Director of Athletics at CSUSM and has been leading the Department of Athletics since September of 2023. Under his leadership, CSUSM Athletics has reached historic levels in athletic performance, academics, fundraising, and public recognition. Over the past 11 years at CSUSM, Morod has elevated department operations, improved athletic facilities, championed the development of The Sports Center, and fostered key relationships across campus and the local community. Morod’s vision focuses on a positive work culture, student-athlete success, and community engagement. As a CSUSM Alumnus and first-generation college graduate, Morod is deeply connected to the University’s mission and vision of student success and social mobility. Morod is inspired by his loving wife. who he met at CSUSM, and their two young children.

  Location: The Hub, ADM 2302 or via Zoom: https://csusm.zoom.us/j/81221405811

  Resume

  Feedback Form

  View Recording

Search Committee Representatives

The search committee comprises the following individuals:

Dr. Patricia Prado-Olmos, Chief Community Officer (Chair)

Search Timeline

• Early April
  Focus groups (see details in the next section)
• Mid April
  Position opens (3 weeks)
• Mid May
  Mammoth Consulted screens resumes and recommends the most qualified candidates
• Late May
  First round of interviews: Zoom
• Early June
  Second round of interviews/Campus Forums: In-person
• Mid June
  Selection of candidate
• Early July
  Public announcement
• Early August
  Director of Athletics begins

*Note: Timeline is subject to change.

Focus Groups

• Student-Athletes + Associated Students, Inc.

  Tuesday, April 2   |   12pm – 1pm  

• Athletics (Coaches + Staff)

  Tuesday, April 2   |   1:30pm – 2:30 pm

• Foundation Members + Community Partners + Donors

  Wednesday, April 3   |   12pm – 1pm 

• Athletics (Leadership)

  Wednesday, April 3   |   1:30pm – 2:30 pm

• Campus Community (Staff + Faculty + Students)

  Wednesday, April 3   |   3pm – 4pm

• Student-Athletes + Associated Students, Inc.

  Thursday, April 4   |   12pm – 1pm  

Feedback Form

If you were unable to attend the live sessions, you can still take part by submitting your feedback.