Tulane Names Rick Dickson New Athletic Director
 | |
Dec. 15, 1999
NEW ORLEANS - Rick Dickson was introduced at a press conference today as Tulane University's new athletic director by Tulane President Scott Cowen.
Dickson, currently the athletic director at Washington State University (WSU) in the Pacific-10 Conference, will join the Tulane staff March 1.
In announcing Dickson's appointment, Cowen said, "Rick is an excellent addition to the University. He has demonstrated at Washington State and at Tulsa, that he has the vision, knowledge and experience to effectively manage a big-time athletics department.
"Rick is a strategic thinker, a creative and results-oriented leader, and a successful fundraiser. He is also an individual who is completely aligned with Tulane's objective of optimizing the campus experience for our student-athletes. We are excited to have him and his family at the University," Cowen added.
Dickson, who previously served four years as athletic director at the University of Tulsa (his alma mater), said the athletic director's position at Tulane appealed to him for two primary reasons.
"Tulane University is one of the finest educational institutions in America and Scott Cowen is one of the most charismatic presidents I have met. That, combined with the potential exhibited by the Green Wave coaches, student-athletes and staff, presented an extremely appealing situation for my family and me."
Dickson, who with his wife Brenda has four teen-aged children, was also quick to admit that the caliber of educational opportunities provided by the University, is very tempting. "When you are faced with having four children in college at the same time, there is no doubt that this type of opportunity is very attractive."
As athletic director, Dickson will oversee a staff of 90 and 300 student-athletes. Tulane competes in Conference USA and fields teams in 16 intercollegiate sports.
At WSU, Dickson oversaw an athletics program that is recognized nationally for its success in dealing with gender equity issues. Washington State has 17 men's and women's intercollegiate athletic programs.
Dickson was active in fundraising at WSU. He was responsible for a $21 million capital campaign focused on scholarships and endowments. This year he designed and implemented a capital campaign that raised $15 million for an Indoor Competition/Practice Facility.
He also managed the Bohler Project, a $43 million addition/renovation project to the historic building that houses WSU's intercollegiate sports programs, athletic staff, volleyball arena, athletics and development staff.
During the 1997-98 school year, 12 of Washington State's 17 intercollegiate programs participated in post-season play, including the school's first Rose Bowl appearance in 67 years. While at WSU, Dickson increased attendance and season ticket sales in multiple sports.
WSU President Sam Smith, who brought Dickson to Washington State in 1994, said, "He's one of the smartest hires I made. Rick and Brenda are two outstanding individuals and they will be great additions to the New Orleans community."
Smith cited Dickson's fundraising abilities and his skill in creating an athletic program that is highly competitive and successful in the Pac-10 Conference, as two of his most valuable characteristics.
Pac-10 Commissioner Tom Hansen agreed with Smith's assessment of Dickson as an outstanding athletic director and said, "Tulane is very fortunate to have Rick."
When Dickson took the head athletics job at WSU, the department had an annual operating budget of $10.4 million. In his five years at the school, the budget has grown to over $20 million and the department has finished in the black for five consecutive years.
Dickson serves on the NCAA committee on Football Issues and he chairs the Post-Season Basketball Task Force. In the Pac-10 he is vice president of the Pac-10 Conference committee and has served on the conference's committees on Compliance and Enforcement, Gender Equity, and Television Contracts.
At the University of Tulsa, Dickson was instrumental in forming a football scheduling alliance that evolved into Conference USA and the expansion of the WAC.
Dickson also hired Tubby Smith as the men's basketball coach at Tulsa. Eventually Smith led the team to the NCAA Men's Basketball Sweet 16.
His community activities include membership on the boards of directors of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and Big Brothers and Sisters of America. He is on the Boy Scouts of America Advisory Board.
Dickson and his wife are the parents of Kari, 17, twin girls Kasi and Kelli, 15, and Doug, 13.
For more information contact: Richard Paige, (504) 865-5506 or, rpaige@mailhost.tcs.tulane.edu
