Dr. John DiBiaggio to join CU management team

Dr. John DiBiaggio Courtesy of Tufts University Click here to download a print friendly (300 dpi) version of the photo.

DENVER, Colo. – February 25, 2004 –The University of Colorado System (CU) President Elizabeth Hoffman and CU-Boulder Chancellor Richard Byyny announced today the appointment of John DiBiaggio as special assistant to the president and chancellor, pending approval by the CU Board of Regents. The term of the appointment will be on a month-to-month basis with a maximum of four months.

"We are moving rapidly, responsibly and fairly to address the issues, and this is the next very significant step in our process," said President Hoffman.

Chancellor Byyny said, "Dr. DiBiaggio brings an enormously distinguished background and experience that is directly pertinent to the situations we are facing. This is a significant next step in the university's ongoing efforts to find the facts about the recent allegations surrounding the university's football program and athletic department."

Dr. DiBiaggio has served as the president of three outstanding universities, Tufts, Michigan State and Connecticut. He served as a member of the prestigious Knight Foundation Blue Ribbon Commission on Intercollegiate Athletics, the goal of which was to make recommendations aimed at stopping abuses in major college sports. He has served on the NCAA Foundation and is a nationally recognized expert on ethical and behavioral issues related to college athletics.

"Through the work of the independent investigative committee, Dr. DiBiaggio's work, the university's ongoing internal audit, as well as the work of the recently formed NCAA task force, our vision is to become a national example of how to create a culture of personal respect and responsibility in our football and athletic programs and throughout the campus," Hoffman said.

DiBiaggio will have an office in the athletic department and serve as a direct liaison for president Hoffman and chancellor Byyny. His role will include regular reporting to the president and chancellor, maintaining daily communication with the athletics director and other officials in the department, and assessing the integration of the athletics department within the CU-Boulder campus community. He will also be identifying any issues or avenues for improvement and facilitating full cooperation with the independent investigative committee.

Additionally, he will provide input to the president, chancellor, and the athletic director on operational and cultural issues within the department.

President Hoffman and chancellor Byyny are extremely concerned about the recent allegations and the affect they have had on the entire CU community.

"I want to emphasize that CU-Boulder is a community of nearly 30,000 students, the overwhelming majority of whom are wonderful, responsible, ethical people who care deeply about each other and their university. They, along with a small number of women and men whose lives are directly affected by the incidents now under review, deserve our understanding and strongest efforts to resolve these issues," Hoffman said.

DiBiaggio will start next week, pending approval by the Board of Regents. He will be paid from non-state general fund dollars from the chancellor's office. The final expenses for DiBiaggio's compensation will be apportioned back to the Department of Athletics at the conclusion of DiBiaggio's appointment.

Curriculum Vitae: Dr. John DiBiaggio

Responsiblities of the Special Assistant to the President and Chancellor

Statement on CU Special Assistant Salary

Chronology of Actions

NCAA Editorial: Knight Compass Steers NCAA's Reform Path

Statement by CU-Boulder Athletics Director Richard Tharp. Feb. 25, 2004