TEMPE, Ariz. -- In a statement released through Arizona State on Tuesday night, departed athletic director Steve Patterson expressed excitement about his new opportunity at Texas and disappointment at leaving unfinished projects at ASU.
Patterson accepted the athletic director position at Texas on Tuesday and will replace DeLoss Dodds, who plans to step down in August.
The full statement reads as follows:
"I am extremely proud of what we’ve been able to accomplish during my years at ASU. We graduated our student-athletes at a record rate, we grew our business, we reconnected with the community and we continued our success in each of our 22 sports. At the end of the day, I decided to take the Athletics Director’s position at my alma mater because it is an opportunity I just couldn't pass up. I look forward to continuing to build upon the great work of DeLoss Dodds. I spent nearly 9 years as an Austin resident and student at The University of Texas. My family has lived in Texas for over 40 years. I have many ties that run deep there with business associates, friends and family, including my 92-year old mother, my brother and members of my wife's family. We are all excited to have the opportunity to come home.
"While I'm very excited about the opportunity at Texas, at the same time, I'm disappointed that I won't be at ASU to see all of the great projects that started during my tenure come to fruition. Dr. Crow has given Sun Devil Athletics every resource we needed to be successful. He has consistently supported me and my family in Tempe and I know he will continue to support Sun Devil Athletics in the years to come. I am leaving behind a very talented staff and I'm working with Dr. Crow to develop a transition plan that will assure that Sun Devil Athletics doesn't miss a beat in my absence.
"I appreciate everything the ASU community has done to make my family and I feel welcome here in the valley."
Among the projects Patterson undertook in his tenure were fundraising efforts for the planned renovation of Sun Devil Stadium, the creation of the 425-acre athletic district to be built adjacent to ASU's campus, and the relocation deal moving ASU baseball to Phoenix Municipal Stadium.
ASU on Tuesday named senior vice president James Rund interim athletic director while a search is conducted for Patterson's replacement.
