Feb. 23, 2009

Corvallis, Ore. - Oregon State University Director of Athletics Bob De Carolis has been named the co-recipient of the Harold J. VanderZwaag Distinguished Alumnus Award, presented annually by the University of Massachusetts Sport Management Program. The award honors individuals for their professional excellence and outstanding achievement in the sports industry.

De Carolis, a 1979 UMass graduate, has been the Director of Athletics at OSU since August of 2002. Under his guidance Oregon State Athletics has achieved unprecedented success on and off the fields of play. Since arriving in April of 1998 as Associate Director of Athletics, the Beavers have played in eight football bowl games, won two national titles in baseball, and overall 16 of the school's 17 intercollegiate programs have participated in postseason play.

In addition, De Carolis has led the expansion of Reser Stadium and Goss Stadium at Coleman Field, the construction of the OSU Softball Complex, the Truax Indoor Center and the Sports Performance Center, and the ongoing remodeling of legendary Gill Coliseum.

Academically, Oregon State student-athletes since De Carolis' arrival have been routinely near the top in representation on the Pac-10 Conference All-Academic teams. Fifty-one percent of the current student-athlete population boasts a cumulative 3.00 GPA or higher.

De Carolis is active on numerous national and conference committees, including the NCAA Division I Management Council, the NCAA Student-Athlete Benefits Cabinet, the Football Issues Committee, the Pac-10 Television and Bowl Committees, and the Conference Budget and Finance Committee.

The Philadelphia native graduated from Bloomsburg University in Pennsylvania in 1976 with a bachelor's degree in business education before going on to UMass to earn a master's degree. Professionally, he has also held posts at Bloomsburg, UMass and for nearly 20 years at the University of Michigan.

De Carolis shares the VanderZwaag award with University of Rhode Island Director of Athletics Thorr Bjorn.