Chancellor Michael Amiridis has named Garrett Klassy the University of Illinois at Chicago's director of athletics designate, pending final approval by the University of Illinois Board of Trustees. Klassy has more than 21 years of intercollegiate athletics experience, including recent leadership positions at George Washington University, the University of Oregon, the University of Alabama and Tulane University.

Klassy begins at UIC on Aug. 15. He will succeed Jim Schmidt, who has served as director of athletics for more than 22 years and will retire Aug. 1.

"Garrett is the right person to lead the Flames into a new era. He has the passion and experience to help us achieve competitive excellence and continue to enhance the academic success and overall experience for our student-athletes," said Amiridis.

Klassy currently serves as senior associate athletics director for external relations at George Washington University, an NCAA Division 1 program with 27 teams and 95 team championships in 15 different sports. He joined the program in 2013 and is responsible for development, corporate sponsorships, sports marketing, ticket sales and communications. He also has sport administration management responsibilities for men's basketball, baseball, women's gymnastics and men's soccer.

His leadership and success in fund raising has led to the two largest donations in GW Athletics history and "his experience in coordinating and implementing a strategic plan and vision for athletics programs will be crucial as we grow UIC Athletics," said Amiridis.

Before joining GW, Klassy served at the University of Oregon from 2005 to 2013. He led the operations and staff of the Duck Athletic Fund, ticket office and sales departments and was part of the management team that raised more than $140 million for Oregon Athletics Legacy Fund. Earlier in his tenure at Oregon, he oversaw ticket sales and operations of the athletic ticket office and managed donor/customer relations.

Prior to Oregon, Klassy was assistant director of ticket operations at the University of Alabama from 2001 to 2005, and director of ticket operations at Tulane University from 2000 to 2001. He also held positions at the Louisiana Superdome and New Orleans Arena.

"I am honored to join UIC as its new director of athletics and grateful to Chancellor Amiridis for entrusting me with this role.  The UIC values and traditions of excellence in both academics and athletics make this a tremendous opportunity," said Klassy. "We will be passionate and focused on creating the best student-athlete experience possible. It starts with continuing to provide  – and enhancing – the excellent education UIC provides.  We will also be active in the community, and strive to compete athletically at the very highest, championship levels. This combined effort will be designed so each and every student-athlete on our campus has the opportunity to achieve their fullest academic and athletic potential.

"I look forward to collaborating with our supportive alumni, the campus community, the great city of Chicago and our colleagues in the Horizon League. Moreover, I am excited to work with the faculty, impressive coaches, staff and student-athletes. My wife and I are thrilled to join the UIC family."

Klassy, 40, received his bachelor's degree in communication arts from the University of Wisconsin. He is married to Lindsay Klassy.

Source: http://www.uicflames.com/news/2017/7/18/general-garrett-klassy-chosen-to-lead-uic-athletics.aspx