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CORVALLIS, Ore. - Athletic director Bob De Carolis announced today that he is leaving Oregon State University after leading OSU athletics for nearly 13 years and working in athletics administration at the university for 17 years.

De Carolis said he will leave his position on June 30.

"There is never an optimal time for decisions like this, especially after 17 years of a journey," De Carolis said. "However, I believe we are in the best possible position in Oregon State University's history to have success on and off the field.

"As a next step in my life and career, I am looking forward to other exciting opportunities in the world of intercollegiate athletics," De Carolis said.

Oregon State President Ed Ray said he greatly appreciated De Carolis' many years of service and acknowledged his achievements while at OSU.

"Bob has provided many important and lasting contributions to Oregon State University," Ray said. "There is good reason why he is known as 'Bob the Builder'. He has completed more than $180 million in improvements to Oregon State athletic facilities, including the eastside expansion of Reser Stadium. And he continues to work on another transformative project - the $42 million expansion of the Valley Football Center within Reser Stadium."

"Bob's contributions were never solely about bricks and mortar," Ray said. "His first passion has always been about our student-athletes and their success on the field, in the classroom and in life and career. When it came to athletic competition, Bob was clear in his requirement that Oregon State would win the right way and would compete for championships and win with integrity."

"I wish Bob, his wife Sandra, and their family every happiness," Ray said.

"The group of coaches we have been able to attract - and more importantly retain - sets Oregon State up to compete for championships in the toughest conference in the country," De Carolis said. "OSU's coaches and athletics department staff are the best. What they have been able to accomplish is truly remarkable. And in intercollegiate athletics, you can't have that kind of success without leadership at the top. I want to personally thank President Ray for his support, leadership and partnership."

Ray said he will engage an advisory group of alumni and leaders in intercollegiate sports to begin a search for a new athletic director and he will name an interim director if the search extends beyond June 30, 2015.

"Our new athletic director will add to the success of Oregon State's men's and women's athletics and grow fan excitement and engagement," Ray said. "He or she will be committed to our student-athletes and to all OSU students. The new director will contribute to the remarkable transformation that is occurring at Oregon State where everything we do is about excellence and leadership."

"Oregon State will compete and will win championships. We will win the right way - the Oregon State way," Ray said. "Count on it. You have my word on it."

De Carolis will conduct a conference call media availability on Monday, May 18.

                               Highlights of Bob De Carolis' career while OSU Athletic Director

Overall (through April 2015):

• The athletic department budget has grown from $29 million in 2002 to $71.3 million;
• The graduation success rate for student athletes in 2013 was 79 percent;
• OSU coaches earned 20 conference "Coach of the Year" honors;
• Student-athletes earned 136 All-America honors;
• Teams participated in postseason competition 117 times;
• Student-athletes earned more than 1,500 conference all-academic honors;
• Named Conference Athletic Director of the Year for 2009-10.

Facilities improvements completed or under way total $220 million:

• Reser Stadium expansion;
• Goss Stadium and Coleman Field renovation;
• Whyte Track and Field Center (phase one);
• Valley Football Center renovation (in progress);
• Beth Ray Center for Academic Support;
• Gill Coliseum renovation;
• Tommy Prothro Football Complex renovation;
• OSU Basketball Center;
• Samaritan Sports Medicine Center;
• Ossey Golf Center;
• OSU Boathouse;
• Sports Performance Center;
• Dale Thomas Wrestling Facility.

Team Highlights (through April 2015):

• Football team recorded a 6-3 record in nine bowl games and finished in the top 25 rankings four times;
• Baseball team has played in nine NCAA Tournaments and won two College World Series titles;
• Women's basketball team won its first Pac-12 Conference title in 2015;
• Wrestling team won the Pac-12 Conference title in 2015 for the fourth consecutive year;
• Women's volleyball team advanced to the NCAA "Sweet 16" for the first time in 2015;
• Men's soccer team won its first postseason match in 2014;
• Men's basketball team won 14 consecutive home games in 2014-15 season;
• Three OSU coaches named Pac-12 2014-15 Conference "Coaches of the Year" - an Oregon State record.