(Photo by Mario Mendez)Update: Ray Anderson will be announced as the new ASU athletic director and University vice president at a press conference Thursday morning, pending approval by the Board of Regents, according to a press release from ASU President Michael Crow.
Original Story: Former NFL Executive Vice President of Football Operations Ray Anderson will be announced as ASU's new athletic director, according to multiple media reports.
The University will have a press conference to introduce Anderson on Thursday.
Anderson will leave his position with the NFL after the 2013-2014 season. It has been reported he will take a significant pay cut.
"Ray's wide-ranging experience in football has played an important role in our football operations," NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said in a December NFL.com article. "Ray has been a strong contributor, always focusing on our key priorities. His engaging personality helped smooth the edges of many a difficult issue."
Anderson is taking over for interim athletic director James Rund, who is also senior vice president. Rund was named interim athletic director after Steve Patterson left ASU for same position at the University of Texas.
Before becoming executive vice president of football operations for the NFL, Anderson served four years as executive vice president and chief administrative officer of the Atlanta Falcons.
Anderson played three years of football and baseball at Stanford before graduating in 1976. In 1979, he graduated from Harvard School of Law.
Reach the reporter at ewebeck@asu.edu or follow him on Twitter @EvanWebeck
