Tempe, AZ – Some people have the special ability to walk into a room and command immediate respect and credibility with their presence. Ray Anderson is one of those people.

After a two month process and keeping the search close to the vest, ASU President Michael Crow announced today that Anderson will become the new Vice President of Athletics for Arizona State University.

Anderson spent the last 8 years with the NFL as the Vice President of Football Operations. A Los Angeles native and football and baseball letterman at Stanford, Anderson is familiar with the Pac-12 conference. After Harvard Law School, he also ran a successful sports agency business. He has plenty of executive level experience that will benefit him in his new position.

The timing was also perfect for both parties. Anderson was looking for a new challenge and ASU was looking for a new leader for their athletics department.

To open the press conference, Crow explained, “We were looking for someone with sports, executive, business and athletics experience all rolled up into one individual. We seized the opportunity to hire Ray Anderson.”

ASU’s new Athletic Director, Ray Anderson

Immediately, Anderson came across as someone who thinks before he speaks and chooses his words carefully. In his opening remarks, he announced, “I am up to the task and I’m excited, eager and proud to be the new Vice President of Athletics for Arizona State University.”

This is a great hire for ASU in so many ways.

Along with credibility and experience, Anderson brings an engaging personality to Tempe that will help build relationships with fans, coaches, administrators and fellow executives in the business. He noted that collaboration and teamwork are high on the list.

When asked why he would leave the big pay day of the NFL executive office, he replied, “I don’t need NFL money, I need gratification.” That gratification will come from helping student-athletes achieve their goals and developing a successful athletics program at ASU.

The opportunity for him to combine his sports business experience with student-athletes and college athletics was the perfect scenario.  

“ASU is a dream destination,” he said. “One of the things that attracted me to ASU was being able to join other folks with vision, passion and commitment.” Dr. Crow’s progressive vision for the new American university also appealed to Anderson.

Anderson placed a heavy emphasis on academics and understands their importance in life.

After his father passed away when he was 9 years old, Anderson had teachers, coaches and mentors helping him along the way. They all told him, “When you combine scholastics and athletics, the world will open.”

ASU athletics now has a leader in place who is a great example for Sun Devil student-athletes and what can be accomplished with hard work and determination.

The big question marks are his fundraising abilities and taking on the stadium redevelopment project. However, Anderson is smart, very well spoken and has the management and communication skills to develop those relationships. Most importantly, he knows how to get things done.

Anderson will stay in his current position with the NFL through the Super Bowl and will report for duty at ASU on February 5^th.

At the end of the press conference he let everyone know, “It’s not a stepping stone, it’s my destination.”

Welcome to Sun Devil Country Mr. Anderson.