SE Valley Times

Graham Rossini has been appointed as the new athletic director for Arizona State University (ASU). With over two decades of experience in sports business, Rossini brings a wealth of knowledge from his time at Major League Baseball and the Power 5 level. His previous roles include serving as the chief business officer of Sun Devil Athletics and spending 13 years with the Arizona Diamondbacks as vice president of special projects and fan experience.

Rossini's tenure at ASU has been marked by significant achievements in revenue generation, corporate partnerships, and capital projects. He played a crucial role in securing naming rights deals for Mountain America Stadium and Desert Financial Arena. Additionally, he was instrumental in ASU's collaborations with major brands such as adidas, Coca-Cola, and Mayo Clinic.

Expressing his enthusiasm for his new role, Rossini stated, "The ability to lead the athletics department at my alma mater is a responsibility that I am enormously proud to take on." He emphasized his commitment to supporting student-athletes and fostering strong relationships within the ASU community.

During his time with the Arizona Diamondbacks, Rossini led several high-profile projects including hosting the 2011 All-Star Game and coordinating international events like the MLB Opening Series in Sydney. Derrick Hall, President and CEO of the Diamondbacks, praised Rossini's competence and vision, noting his successful track record with transformational projects.

James Rund, interim vice president for university athletics at ASU, highlighted Rossini's qualifications: "Graham’s background and experience as a sports executive... gives him the needed experience and vision through which to manage and lead."

Joining Rossini in leading Sun Devil Athletics are Deputy Athletic Director Lisa Young and Executive Associate Athletic Director Scott Nelson. Young brings extensive corporate experience from her previous roles with companies like Republic Services and Honeywell. Nelson will also serve as managing director of the Sun Devil Club.

ASU President Michael Crow remarked on the importance of athletics for institutional advancement: "Athletics is the best way to advance the institution and to engage with the community."