University of Northern Colorado athletic director Jim Fallis announced today the hiring of Bill Chaves to the newly created position of Assistant Athletic Director/Development.

In his new duties as Assistant A.D., Chaves will be responsible for fostering and maintaining the departments corporate partnership program, directing the Blue & Gold Clubs annual fundraising campaign and overseeing the marketing and promotion efforts of the athletic department.

Chaves, a native of Enfield, Connecticut, is currently attending the University of Massachusetts, completing work on a second masters degree in sport management. Prior to attending UMass, Chaves spent three years (1995-98) as the Director of Athletics and Intramurals for the Enfield (CT) Public Schools. In this position, he directed 82 interscholastic athletic programs as well as 10 intramural programs. He also fostered several corporate partnership agreements and negotiated one of the first high school apparel and equipment contracts with Reebok.

From 1990-95, Chaves served as the Director of Sports Information at Quinnipiac College in Hamden, Connecticut. In that role, he served as the chief athletic spokesperson and publicist for the schools 16 NCAA Division II sports. He was also involved in the athletic departments marketing and promotion efforts and was responsible for bringing the Nutmeg State Games to the Quinnipiac campus.

In addition, Chaves was the founder and co-chairman of the Enfield Athletic Hall of Fame. Through several fundraising events, he was able to make the Hall of Fame a 100% self-funded organization.

A 1988 graduate of St. Thomas University (Miami, Fla.), he earned his B.A. degree in sports administration. He then went on to Oklahoma State University to complete his first masters degree in health, physical education and leisure in 1991.

"We are certainly pleased that Bill will be joining our staff," Fallis said regarding the announcement. "He brings a diverse background in athletics that will certainly be an asset to the entire UNC staff."

Chaves also commented on his hiring.

"I am extremely excited by the opportunity to join the staff at Northern Colorado," he stated. "It is one of the premier Division II schools in one of the premier Division II conferences and I feel that the potential of the athletic department is unlimited."

A start date of May 24 has been set for Chaves.