Vermillion, S.D. - University of South Dakota President James W. Abbott introduced David Sayler as the school's 12th athletic director at a press conference Thursday afternoon in the Muenster University Center. Sayler joins the Coyotes after spending the last four years as Senior Executive Athletic Director at Rice University in Houston, Texas.

"We are pleased David Sayler has accepted the position as Athletics Director at USD," Abbott said. "David has served in leadership roles at several highly successful Division I athletic programs throughout the country. He is an ideal fit for Coyote Athletics as USD continues its transition to Division I."

Sayler shares Abbott's enthusiasm in coming to Vermillion and will assume the position on Aug. 2.

"The entire Sayler family is excited to join the Vermillion community and The University of South Dakota family," Sayler said. "The vision that President Abbott has shared with me regarding the future at USD is what really attracted me to the position. I look forward to utilizing all my abilities and resources to ensure his vision can be accomplished in the most effective and efficient manner possible. It is a great time to be a Coyote and I look forward to building on the solid foundation built by Joel Nielsen and the University Administration. This is a great fit for me both personally and professionally, and I am eager to get started."

During his four years with the Owls, Sayler has gained extensive experience. He oversaw the administration of the entire department while serving as Interim Athletic Director from October 2009 to March 2010. In his role as Senior Executive Athletic Director, he was responsible for the day-to-day operations of the department, directly overseeing all internal operations, as well as providing administrative oversight for all 16 of Rice's sports. He also worked on the development of a Strategic Plan for Rice Athletics and served as the administrator of that plan.

Sayler was also crucial in several construction projects on campus. He oversaw the funding model, planning and building of the $26 million renovation of Autry Court as well as the $41 million construction of a recreation center. During his time at Rice, Sayler supervised the installation of Fieldturf ($1 million) at Rice Stadium, the replacement of Cameron Field ($1.2 million) at Reckling Park and the installation of a new scoreboard ($500,000) at Reckling Park. He has served as tournament director for several events, including regional championships in basketball and baseball.

Accomplishments on the field during the past three years for the Owls include the football team making two bowl games, the baseball team making consecutive trips to the College World Series, the women's volleyball team making the NCAA tournament and the women's track and cross country team winning Conference USA Championships. Rice Athletics had a balanced budget for fiscal years 2007 and 2008, which were the first times that ever occurred under the board-approved budget funding model for athletics.

David and his wife, Katie, have two sons, Connor and Liam.

About David Sayler Birthdate: Sept. 6, 1969 Hometown: Greenwich, Conn. Family: Wife, Katie, Sons, Connor and Liam Alma Mater: Ohio Wesleyan University, B.A. in Accounting (1991) University of Connecticut, M.A. in Sports Management (1996) Professional Experience: Rice University, Senior Executive Athletics Director (2006-present) Oregon State University, Associate Athletic Director for Business Operations (2005-06) Bowling Green State University, Associate Athletic Director for Finance/External Operations (2001-05) University of Houston, Assistant Athletic Director of Business Operations (1999-2001) University of Hartford, Assistant Athletic Director of Business Operations (1998-99) University of Georgia, Assistant Director of Marketing/Promotions (1996-98) University of Connecticut, Marketing Assistant (1994-96) Peterson Consulting, Litigation Consultant (1992-94)

What they're saying about David Sayler "The University of South Dakota has made an inspired hire in David Sayler. I have been lucky and honored to have David at my side during my early tenure as the Rice Athletic Director. David is highly competent, a consensus builder, articulate and passionate about student-athletes and intercollegiate athletics. Most importantly, David is a man with unbending principles and a strong moral compass. He represents the type of leader an intercollegiate athletic department must have to meet the academic, financial, competitive and political challenges of the future. The entire state of South Dakota is a better place today with the Sayler family as residents and neighbors." Richard Greenspan - Rice University Athletic Director

"David Sayler has been an immense contributor to the success of Rice Athletics, both as Senior Associate AD and as interim AD. He is a person of enormous integrity, vision and skill, and the University of South Dakota is fortunate to have recruited him. We will greatly miss him, but wish him well on the success that undoubtedly lies ahead." David Leebron - Rice University President

"Dave Sayler is an outstanding selection to be the next director of athletics at the University of South Dakota. He brings tremendous experience in all aspects of external relations and internal operations while also having a deep appreciation for the academic mission of higher education. Everyone in the UConn Family knows that he will have the same well-deserved level of success that he had at our University and with every other opportunity since then." Jeffrey A. Hathaway - University of Connecticut Director of Athletics

"David is one of the brightest young administrators in college sports. He understands the value of higher education and has experience in virtually every area of our field. Any institution would benefit from his leadership." Britton Banowsky - Conference USA Commissioner

"I have had the pleasure of working with David and believe he is an outstanding collegiate athletics administrator. He is passionate, thoughtful, dedicated and has worked very hard for this opportunity. I am sure he will do an outstanding job for the University of South Dakota." Paul Krebs - University of New Mexico Vice President for Athletics

University of South Dakota Athletic Directors 1923-28 - L.B. Allison 1928-35 - S.B. Backman 1935-56 - Carl "Rube" Hoy 1957-61 - Ralph "Boot" Stewart 1961-71 - John Roning 1971-76 - Carl Miller 1976-81 - Beanie Cooper 1981-82 - Bobby Thompson 1983-98 - Jack Doyle 1998-03 - Kelly Higgins 2003-10 - Joel Nielsen 2010-present - David Sayler