University of Missouri Interim Chancellor Hank Foley emerged from a teleconference with the Board of Curators on Tuesday evening and announced the news that had broken a day before: San Diego State Athletic Director Jim Sterk was coming to Mizzou to assume the same position.
CLICK HERE TO WATCH VIDEO OF FOLEY'S ANNOUNCEMENT
Sterk has a seven-year contract with Mizzou which will pay him a guaranteed $700,000 per year (a $100,000 increase over what Mack Rhoades made in the same role). With incentives—and a stipulation that he fulfills all seven years of the contract—the total compensation for Sterk could come to an even one million dollars per year.
“My passion is building upon the successes of good athletic programs and helping to make them great,” Sterk said in a University release. “Whether it is guiding and mentoring student-athletes, working with coaches to ensure they have the resources they need or cheering with the fans, I realize that athletics is one of the most visible programs at a university. Mizzou’s recent entry into the SEC makes it highly visible and I am excited about the opportunity to help continue to lead it on the national stage.”
“Mizzou athletics and all of Mizzou nation will benefit from having someone of Jim’s caliber on board,” Foley said in the statement. “He has a superb winning record, is committed to the importance of diversity and inclusion efforts and will help restore pride and confidence in an athletics program that is working to overcome a challenging year.”
CLICK HERE TO READ MIZZOU'S FULL RELEASE
Foley did not take questions. None of the Curators were present in person at the meeting.
Sterk will start “on or before September 1.” His initial press conference will be at 11 a.m. Thursday on the East side of Memorial Stadium.
