Member Profile: Carol Dunn, Athletics Director, CSULA
Cal State L.A. Athletic Director Carol M. Dunn Retires
May 26, 2005

LOS ANGELES – Cal State L.A. director of intercollegiate athletics Carol M. Dunn today announced her retirement after 17 years at the helm of the Golden Eagles and 24 years as a coach or administrator at CSULA, effective December 31, 2005.

"It has been a pleasure to work with Carol for the last 24 years," said Cal State L.A. President Dr. James M. Rosser. "She has made invaluable contributions to the program, to our student-athletes and to the University."
 

Cal State L.A. director of intercollegiate athletics Carol M. Dunn is retiring after 17 years. She has made contributions in so many areas at CSULA, not the least of which is fundraising, as evidenced by a ten-fold increase under her leadership.

Dunn was named Athletic Director at Cal State L.A. on July 1, 1988, after six years as associate athletic director and four as head women's basketball coach (1981/82-1984/85 seasons). Upon taking over as athletic director, Dunn made it a top priority to ensure gender-equity in CSULA's men's and women's intercollegiate athletic programs. Over the past 17 years, because of her leadership, vision and direction, Cal State L.A.'s teams have made a combined 78 team appearances in the NCAA Tournament, including 12 different programs earning NCAA postseason berths, and have won 33 NCAA individual championships.

Dunn is known for her goal-oriented and proactive management style. Fundraising has been a key component of CSULA's athletics success under Dunn, especially in the area of athletic scholarships. During her tenure, overall fundraising has increased 10 fold. Since 1998, the most prominent of CSULA's scholarship fundraisers has been a day-long event with legendary tennis star and CSULA alumna Billie Jean King. This special event has raised more than $1 million for athletics scholarships and also made possible the Billie Jean King and Joe Shapiro endowed scholarships.

  
Nationally, Dunn is a well-respected administrator, having served on numerous NCAA committees, including a five-year term on the prestigious NCAA Council from 1995-2000. In June 2001, Dunn was honored by her peers in the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA) as one of the Athletic Directors of the Year. In 1991, she was named to the list of "2,000 Notable American Women." Dunn received her Bachelor's degree from Frostburg State University in 1973 and her Master's degree from Frostburg State University in 1976.

"I have been very fortunate to be a part of the Golden Eagle family and to have worked for such a visionary as President Rosser," Dunn said. "I have great respect for him and appreciate the support he has given continuously to the Division and to me. Our coaches, student-athletes, support staff, volunteers and management team are first-class individuals who care deeply and are committed to our vision of the Golden Eagle program. I have been privileged to work with them all and I am a better person for having known them. In my heart, I will be a Golden Eagle forever. Do it Big, Do it Bold, Do it Black and Gold."

A national search for a successor will begin immediately.