Dear UC Santa Cruz Community,
Chris Spells has been named UC Santa Cruz’s new director of Athletics and Recreation. He brings a depth of experience overseeing daily athletic operations for NCAA varsity sports and recreational programming. Chris’s first day on campus will be June 1.
Chris is the assistant athletic director of athletic facility operations, recreation and campus engagement at Claremont-Mudd-Scripps Athletics where he also served as director of recreation. Before that, he was the assistant director of facilities and operations and general manager of the Arrillaga Outdoor Education and Recreation Center in the Department of Athletics, Physical Education and Recreation at Stanford University.
Chris received a bachelor’s degree in kinesiology from California State University, Fresno and is currently enrolled in a master’s program in sport administration at Arkansas State University.
The director of Athletics & Recreation reports administratively to the Office of the Campus Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor and oversees UC Santa Cruz’s intercollegiate athletics and intramural, recreation and wellness programs.
I am grateful to Courtnie Prather who has been serving as the interim director since May 2023. Courtnie brought great commitment to the director role, and she supported and encouraged coaches and student-athletes. Her leadership benefited the well-being of all members of our community through athletic and recreational activities.
I am grateful to the search advisory committee, chaired by Professor Tesla Jeltema, for their dedication to our recruiting effort and the commitment of time and effort in reviewing candidates.
Sincerely,
Lori
Lori Kletzer
Campus Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor
