Raves for Chaves
Fighting Hawks community welcomes new UND Athletics Director at combined public introduction and celebration
The blare of UND Pride of the North horns and drums filled the Ralph Engelstad Arena lobby on Jan. 16, with glittering pom-poms guiding a new Fighting Hawks leader through dozens of fans, alumni, coaches, staff and students.
Epic pomp for significant circumstance.
This was new UND Athletics Director Bill Chaves’ introduction day, and, in a style which many have already noted, he quickly turned the attention from himself to the students.
“Wow, this is tremendous. Thank you to the band and to the cheerleaders for coming,” Chaves said, a genuinely warm smile and bright eyes turned their way. “That was really awesome. Thank you so, so much.”
Chaves is UND’s 16th athletics director, taking over for the retiring Brian Faison, who led the department to regional and national success for nearly a decade. Faison announced his retirement in October, sparking a search for the program’s next captain.
A recent change in state law, which now protects the identity of candidates until they are named finalists, allowed the search committee to draw multiple sitting Division I athletics directors to the position. UND President Mark Kennedy said the incredible applicant pool made his choice a difficult one.
“But Bill is really the best,” President Kennedy said. “He is an example of how we can attract the best to Grand Forks, North Dakota, and how they can help us be the best.”
Student-centric priorities
The President touted Chaves’ achievements as athletics director at Eastern Washington University, which include two National Athletic Director of the Year awards, a 2010 NCAA Division I Championship in football, and an appearance at the “Big Dance” – the NCAA men’s basketball tournament.
Kennedy also highlighted successes like three Big Sky President’s Cups, awarded to the conference’s highest performing programs when considering both athletic and academic achievement – something that cuts closer to the core of Chaves’ priorities.
“When someone walks into my office, I ask, ‘Is it good for the student-athlete? Is it good for the department? Is it good for the University? Is it good for the state?’” he told the crowd. “You want to make sure the very first question is, ‘Is it good for the student-athlete?’”
Chaves expanded on the sentiment, saying that students are the reason why people find careers in higher education. He added that he’ll ask three things of his student-athletes: “I’ll ask them to earn their degree – number one. Absolutely that’s why they’re here,” he said. “Be a leader, but be a leader in action. And then, perform to your highest ability.”
Ear to the people
Chaves laid out how he plans to work hand-in-hand with the coaching staff to inject direction and drive into an already excellent program that’s now approaching transitions into two new conferences.
The way to do that? A bit of strategy.
“The One UND Strategic Plan for the institution is tremendous. I think the Athletics department can follow suit with a plan of its own that can lift the department, and I look forward to building that,” he said.
Women’s Basketball Head Coach Travis Brewster said that it’s clear Chaves had a plan for UND Athletics in mind when he applied for the role. Just as clear is his excitement about now having a chance to implement it.
“When you see the growth that our Athletics department has had over the years, you have to thank Brian Faison for getting us to this point. But now you can already see that [Chaves] is ready to put the program into hyperdrive,” Brewster said.
Chaves acknowledged all of the constituencies that make UND Athletics the legacy it has become, from UND staff and students to the loyal alumni, fans and supporters spread across the country. “Our job is to make you UND proud every day,” he said. “Many of you have you pledged your loyalty – I know I pledge mine today.”
To ensure that all voices are heard, Chaves wants to start his tenure with a “listening tour” – an opportunity to gauge internal and external concerns and take action.
“I like the fact that one of the words that he’s used, almost more than anything else, is ‘listen,’” UND Volleyball Head Coach Mark Pryor said. “For me, that’s huge, because any time that you have a new boss coming in, there’s some nervous energy there – how is this going to go, how is this going to affect everything?”
A new home
Chaves’ concluding thoughts turned to his wife and children, whom he began to thank, and then took teary pause. Seconds passed before he gained composure.
“They’re special,” he said. “It’ll be tough on them, coming here, but they’re going to find a beautiful, beautiful life here. I know it. The people are great here. You have 10 years in one place (Spokane, Washington) that you have to unwind – but they’re going to have a great 10 years when they come here.”
“He’s the kind of person who I think will fit in well here at the University of North Dakota, and I think we’ll very much enjoy him, his wife and his family,” President Kennedy told onlookers.
And to help him fit even better into the UND culture, the President presented Chaves with a Fighting Hawks hockey jersey, “CHAVES” emblazoned across the back.
“We’ve had great days,” Kennedy said, “and I think even brighter days are ahead with Bill Chaves as our new athletics director.”
