Rochelle Named Razorback Foundation Executive Director

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Sean Rochelle

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Sean Rochelle, a University of Arkansas graduate and former Razorback Athletics administrator, has been named executive director of the Razorback Foundation, it was announced by Ken Mourton, chairman of the Razorback Foundation.

Rochelle has been with the Razorback Foundation since 2008, most recently serving as senior associate director. Prior to joining the foundation, Rochelle worked in both the men’s and women’s athletic departments before serving as the director of development in the combined athletic department. A native of Elkins, Ark., Rochelle received his undergraduate degree from the University of Arkansas at Monticello while competing as a football student-athlete. Rochelle later earned both his master’s degree and doctorate from the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville.

Rochelle assumes the leadership position within the Razorback Foundation vacated when the previous executive director, Chris Wyrick, was named vice chancellor for University Advancement at the University of Arkansas.

“As a native Arkansan, University of Arkansas graduate and lifelong Razorback, I am truly honored to have the opportunity to serve as executive director of the Razorback Foundation,” Rochelle says. “I have been privileged to work day to day with Razorback Foundation members and donors to our program and have witnessed the tremendous difference their support is making in the lives of Razorback student-athletes. I am deeply appreciative of the support and confidence of the Razorback Foundation Board in naming me to this important position. I look forward to working alongside our Board, Vice Chancellor and Director of Athletics Jeff Long, and the Razorback Foundation and athletic department staffs as we all work together for the future success of Razorback Athletics.”

In Rochelle’s tenure with the Razorback Foundation, membership and annual fund support has increased each year. In 2011-12, Razorback Foundation membership grew to just under 13,000 while the annual fund topped $20 million for the first time.

“As the board began to consider the desired experience and attributes for the future leader of the Razorback Foundation, Sean Rochelle immediately became a clear choice to serve as our new executive director,” Mourton said. “Sean has been instrumental in the recent success of the Razorback Foundation, including helping grow membership and annual fund support to record levels. His familiarity with our state and program combined with his extensive experience within intercollegiate athletics will provide the Razorback Foundation the experienced leadership it needs to continue to move progressively forward.”

Before joining the Razorback Foundation, Rochelle served an assistant athletic director for development for the women’s athletic department and the combined athletics department formed in January 2008. A former associate director for corporate and foundation relations at the university, Rochelle brings a wealth of experience in both the athletic and academic fields to the position.

“I congratulate Ken Mourton and the Razorback Foundation board on their selection of Sean Rochelle as the new executive director of the Razorback Foundation,” Long said. “Sean will provide our Foundation a passionate leader who possesses the vision necessary to continue the efforts to modernize and grow our fund raising efforts. He will play a pivotal role in helping lead our efforts to secure funding for facility projects developed from our Athletic Facilities Master Plan, including the Student-Athlete Success Center, the basketball practice facility and the baseball and track indoor training facility.

“As a former college football student-athlete, academic adviser and coach, Sean has an informed perspective on the support needed to develop student-athletes to their fullest potential through intercollegiate athletics. Growing up in Arkansas and being a lifelong Razorback, Sean knows every corner of Arkansas, has relationships with foundation members throughout the country and most importantly understands the passion of Razorback fans and what this program means to so many Arkansans.”

Prior to returning to Arkansas, Rochelle spent five years at Azusa Pacific University. Among his work at Azusa Pacific, he was the chair of the department of exercise and sport science.

A two-time academic all-America football player at Arkansas-Monticello, Rochelle quarterbacked UAM to their only 10-win season in school history. Named the co-offensive player of the year of the Arkansas Intercollegiate Conference in 1988, he was also inducted into the UAM Sports Hall of Fame in 2006. Before shifting to an academic and administrative career, Rochelle served as a graduate assistant football coach at Arkansas and Clemson. He also served as an assistant coach at UAM before traveling west to Azusa Pacific.

He earned his bachelor’s degree from UAM, then received his master's degree in 1989 and his Doctor of Education in 1999 from Arkansas. He earned the UAM Alumni Award for Achievement and Merit in 2010. Rochelle and his wife, Caroline, have three daughters, Abigail, Ellison and Lilly.