Long Beach State Director Of Athletics Andy Fee Given Contract Extension
4/20/2021 9:47:00 AM | General
In addition to keeping Fee in Long Beach, his title will now be Executive Director of Athletics.
LONG BEACH, Calif. – Long Beach State University has renewed the contract of Director of Athletics Andy Fee in an agreement that keeps Fee with the Beach until May 2026.
"I am most grateful to President Jane Close Conoley for her vote of confidence as well as her continued strong support of Beach Athletics," said Fee. "My wife Nicole and I are thrilled to call Long Beach home and while we still have plenty of work to do, I am excited about what lies ahead for the University and for Long Beach State Athletics."
Fee has served in his current role since May of 2017, and has helped continue success for Long Beach State student-athlete on the field of competition and in the classroom.
During Fee's tenure, Long Beach State has combined to win six team conference or tournament championships and 10 individual conference championships despite losing a full season of competition to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Under Fee's direction, Long Beach State has hired six new coaches, and most importantly demonstrated a commitment to equity as Women's Track and Field and Women's Water Polo both had a head coach hired and dedicated to that program.
Fee's leadership has shown in other areas, as well. Nationally, he is the chair of the NCAA Men's Water Polo committee, and Fee played a key role in Long Beach State's hosting duties as part of the 2019 Men's Volleyball National Championship, where the Beach won a second consecutive national title.
Long Beach State has nearly $2 million dollars in private donations since his arrival, and has overseen the completion of the $6 million Soccer/Softball Clubhouse, a long-time priority among capital projects at LBSU. Other capital improvements include significant upgrades to the Walter Pyramid as well as Bohl Diamond at Blair Field.
"We are pleased that Andy, who has repeatedly proven himself as an outstanding leader, will continue to head Beach Athletics as our executive AD," said President Jane Close Conoley. "In addition to overseeing a program that continues garnering widespread respect and admiration – not to mention, national and conference championships – he has helped create an environment that focuses on student-athletes' academic success; he's an effective fundraiser; and he's done it all while emphasizing equity, inclusion and excellence."
Fee's emphasis on success has extended to the classroom as well. Long Beach State Athletics has maintained its position as a leader in academics among both the Big West Conference and its peers in the state of California. Over the last calendar year, Long Beach State's 19 Division I boasted a combined GPA of 3.09, including a record 3.25 GPA in the 2020 spring semester.
Long Beach State's Graduation Success Rate (GSR) continues to climb, following a total of 87 percent two years ago and a new high of 89 percent last year as the Beach continues to set a standard both within the Big West and in California at 91 percent. Only UC Davis at 92 percent ranked higher than Long Beach State among both Big West institutions and public universities in California. Additionally, every one of Long Beach State's athletics programs has exceeded the NCAA's Academic Progress Rate minimum in every year of Fee's tenure.
In addition to the contract extension, Fee's title will also be elevated to Executive Director of Athletics.
"I am most grateful to President Jane Close Conoley for her vote of confidence as well as her continued strong support of Beach Athletics," said Fee. "My wife Nicole and I are thrilled to call Long Beach home and while we still have plenty of work to do, I am excited about what lies ahead for the University and for Long Beach State Athletics."
Fee has served in his current role since May of 2017, and has helped continue success for Long Beach State student-athlete on the field of competition and in the classroom.
During Fee's tenure, Long Beach State has combined to win six team conference or tournament championships and 10 individual conference championships despite losing a full season of competition to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Under Fee's direction, Long Beach State has hired six new coaches, and most importantly demonstrated a commitment to equity as Women's Track and Field and Women's Water Polo both had a head coach hired and dedicated to that program.
Fee's leadership has shown in other areas, as well. Nationally, he is the chair of the NCAA Men's Water Polo committee, and Fee played a key role in Long Beach State's hosting duties as part of the 2019 Men's Volleyball National Championship, where the Beach won a second consecutive national title.
Long Beach State has nearly $2 million dollars in private donations since his arrival, and has overseen the completion of the $6 million Soccer/Softball Clubhouse, a long-time priority among capital projects at LBSU. Other capital improvements include significant upgrades to the Walter Pyramid as well as Bohl Diamond at Blair Field.
"We are pleased that Andy, who has repeatedly proven himself as an outstanding leader, will continue to head Beach Athletics as our executive AD," said President Jane Close Conoley. "In addition to overseeing a program that continues garnering widespread respect and admiration – not to mention, national and conference championships – he has helped create an environment that focuses on student-athletes' academic success; he's an effective fundraiser; and he's done it all while emphasizing equity, inclusion and excellence."
Fee's emphasis on success has extended to the classroom as well. Long Beach State Athletics has maintained its position as a leader in academics among both the Big West Conference and its peers in the state of California. Over the last calendar year, Long Beach State's 19 Division I boasted a combined GPA of 3.09, including a record 3.25 GPA in the 2020 spring semester.
Long Beach State's Graduation Success Rate (GSR) continues to climb, following a total of 87 percent two years ago and a new high of 89 percent last year as the Beach continues to set a standard both within the Big West and in California at 91 percent. Only UC Davis at 92 percent ranked higher than Long Beach State among both Big West institutions and public universities in California. Additionally, every one of Long Beach State's athletics programs has exceeded the NCAA's Academic Progress Rate minimum in every year of Fee's tenure.
In addition to the contract extension, Fee's title will also be elevated to Executive Director of Athletics.
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