Wyrick Named Razorback Foundation Executive Director

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Chris Wyrick, executive director of the Razorback Foundation

University of Arkansas Senior Associate Athletic Director of Development Chris Wyrick has been named executive director of the Razorback Foundation it was announced by Ken Mourton, Razorback Foundation chairman.

Wyrick is a nationally respected development officer with extensive experience within intercollegiate athletics including successful tenures at South Carolina and Vanderbilt. He joined Razorback Athletics in May 2008 and has spent the past four and half years working for the athletic department and with the Razorback Foundation.

In 2010, Wyrick took a leave from his athletic department position to lead the highly successful Razorback Seat Value Plan (R.S.V.P.) as part of the Answer the Call Campaign for the Razorback Foundation. R.S.V.P. resulted in 2,600 new Razorback Foundation members and generated an additional $6.5 million in support of Razorback student-athletes. Following the successful campaign, Wyrick returned to the athletic department as the senior associate athletic director for development.

Wyrick is assuming the leadership position within the Razorback Foundation vacated when Coach Harold Horton retired on July 31, 2012.

 “I am honored to be selected to lead the Razorback Foundation at this important time in the history of our program,” Wyrick said. “I am grateful to Jeff Long for giving me the opportunity to come to the University of Arkansas and become a part of this special program. For the past four and half years, I have enjoyed working with the Razorback Foundation Board, Coach Horton and the Razorback Foundation staff as we achieved record levels in annual support and membership. And now as I begin my role as executive director, I firmly believe we are in prime position to build upon that momentum and secure the needed support for the continued development of Razorback student-athletes.”

In his most recent role with Razorback Athletics, Wyrick lead the capital gifts and major gift fund-raising efforts to support the department's facilities master plan. He also oversaw the Razorback Ticket Office and served as the liaison with Associated Student Government.

Prior to spending a year assisting the Razorback Foundation, Wyrick served as the senior associate athletic director for external affairs, which included oversight for marketing and promotions, collegiate licensing program, media relations, multi-media partners and the athletic department web site. He also worked with the associate athletic director for finance and business in supervision of the Razorback Ticket Office while also serving as the sport administrator for men's basketball and men's and women's golf.

“As the Board moved forward to identify a new executive director, it quickly became apparent that Chris Wyrick would combine development expertise with a deep appreciation and understanding of the Razorback program,” Mourton said. “His work on behalf of the Razorback Foundation with the R.S.V.P. program helped re-shape the future of our membership and support. Working alongside Jeff Long in the athletic department has given him an informed perspective of the unique spirit and statewide support of the Razorback fans. Chris understands the need for that continued support and what will be required in the years to come to maintain a nationally competitive all sports program at the University of Arkansas.”

 A native of Greensboro, N.C., Wyrick joined Arkansas after two years at South Carolina where he was associate athletics director for development. Prior to USC, he spent six years at Vanderbilt as an administrator.

“I am appreciative of Chairman Ken Mourton and the rest of the Board members for their leadership in this time of transition within the Razorback Foundation,” University of Arkansas Vice Chancellor and Director of Athletics Jeff Long said. “By selecting Chris Wyrick as the new executive director, the Board has further demonstrated their commitment to securing the future sustainability of the Razorback Foundation and its support of our program. Chris has been an integral part of the remarkable success we have enjoyed in the past few years and I am confident the Razorback Foundation will flourish under his leadership.”

A 1992 graduate of North Carolina State with a degree in political science, Wyrick and his wife Merrily have two daughters, Caroline and Caitlin.