After Ray Anderson, the Vice President for University Athletics at Arizona State University, announced his resignation on Monday morning, coaches of various programs at ASU took to social media to share words of support and thanks. The 69-year-old will remain at the university as a professor of practice and senior advisor for the Master of Sports Law and Business program within the Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law. Anderson spent nearly 10 years in his position as athletic director and oversaw Sun Devil Athletics' expansion to 26 varsity sports, the construction of Mullett Arena, and progression towards the highest Academic Progress Rate in the Pac-12, ahead of Stanford and Cal.
Kenny Dillingham
Head football coach Kenny Dillingham held his weekly Monday press conference less than an hour after the news of Anderson's resignation broke. Dillingham was hired in December 2022 by Anderson after former head coach Herm Edwards relinquished his role after a 30-21 loss to Eastern Michigan on September 22, 2022. Edwards is notably a former client of Anderson when he worked as a agent for NFL coaches and players.
Dillingham thanked Anderson for the opportunity to come home to his alma mater and wished him the best in his future endeavors.
Kenny Dillingham's comments on Ray Anderson's resignation. pic.twitter.com/qq6vlxB6Nm
— Blake Niemann (@Blakes_Take2) November 13, 2023
Willie Bloomquist
Head baseball coach Willie Bloomquist also had media availability scheduled Monday for the signing of 10-year-old Thaddeus Earle to the Sun Devil baseball program and to discuses the program's top-25 recruiting class for their upcoming season. Bloomquist played at ASU from 1997-1999 and tied a College World Series record when he had five hits in game against Long Beach State in 1998. He was hired on July 11, 2021 after a 13-year MLB playing carrer.
ASU baseball coach Willie Bloomquist on the departure of athletic director Ray Anderson. pic.twitter.com/BbRfJdMdgV
— SunDevilSource.com (@SunDevilSource) November 13, 2023
Greg Powers
Head ice hockey coach Greg Powers was made the head coach of Arizona State's club hockey program in 2010 and would capture an American Collegiate Hockey Association National Championship in 2014. In 2015 the university received a $32 million donation, the largest in the school's history, to help elevate the hockey program to NCAA Division I status. Powers is now in his eighth season behind the bench for the Division I team and his team is off to the best start in program history. Last summer, he signed a five-year extension to remain as head coach though the 2026-27 season.
Thank you Ray! You will always #BETHETRADITION pic.twitter.com/TsVhcAmQfP
— Greg Powers (@asucoachpowers) November 13, 2023
Matt Thurmond and Missy Farr-Kaye
Ray Anderson helped oversee the construction of the Phil and Amy Mickelson Player Development Facility at Papago Golf Course where Sun Devil Men's and Women's Golf set up their home base in November 2018, shortly before the closure of Karsten Golf Course in 2019. Arizona State, in partnership with Grayhawk Golf Club, were also awarded the 2020-2022 (moved to 2021-2023) NCAA golf national championships during Anderson's tenure.
I’m forever thankful to @SunDevilRay23 and his leadership. He hired me and was part of what made this opportunity so attractive 7+ years ago. He had the vision to make our golf facility the best in class. He was a major force behind getting three NCAA Championships at Grayhawk.
— Matt Thurmond (@MattThurmond) November 13, 2023
Thank you @SunDevilRay23 for all you have done for @SunDevilWGolf I am grateful for your support and belief in me. Wishing you long days on the golf course ahead! ??
— . (@missymkaye) November 14, 2023
Grahm Winkworth
Grahm Winkworth was made head coach of the Arizona State Soccer program in 2017 and had led the team to three NCAA tournament appearances. The program has more student-athletes enrolled in Barrett, The Honors College than any other team at ASU. In 2020, Anderson helped expand the soccer and lacrosse facilites in Tempe by adding additional fields to the east of Sun Devil Soccer and Lacrosse Stadium.
Thank you boss @SunDevilRay23 for giving me the incredible opportunity to lead this program.
— Graham_Winkworth (@CoachWinkworth) November 14, 2023
I am going to miss you and Buffie so much and I wish you nothing but the best in the future.
Thank you for all the kindness you have shown my family and I.
Megan Bartlett
Megan Bartlett will begin her second campaign in the dugout for ASU softball in the spring after coaching the Sun Devils to a 22-26 (6-18 Pac-12) record during her first season. Anderson hired Bartlett in June 2022 after she previously served as the head coach at Ball State from 2016-2020 and an assistant coach at Texas from 2020-22, helping the Longhorns to their first College World Series appearance in 2022.
My sincerest thanks to @SunDevilRay23 for his service to Arizona State Athletics ❤️? I will always be grateful to Ray for choosing me to lead @ASUSoftball. I wish you and Buffie all the happiness #ForksUp
— Megan C Bartlett (@coachcbartlett) November 14, 2023