[Photo: Fresno State]
FRESNO, CA (KMJ) – Fresno State’s Director of Athletics resigns.
On Monday, November 6th, Fresno State President Joseph Castro emailed out an announcement that Jim Bartko resigned stating personal reasons.
President Castro issued this statement: “Jim Bartko focused on charting a new direction for Fresno State’s athletics program, and he took the lead in developing the vision for the Bulldog Stadium modernization project. He engaged new supporters across the region and increased involvement in advancing our program.”
[Photo: Liz Kern/KMJ]
Valley native Jim Bartko started at Fresno State in January of 2015, after a 20 year run at the University of Oregon.
Bartko has led an intercollegiate department serving over 425 student-athletes in 21 sports.
“Jim’s commitment to improving the student and fan experience has helped us recruit talented athletes and coaches,” University President Joseph Castro said. “We are appreciative of the groundwork he has laid for continued momentum and growth of Fresno State athletics.”
[Photo: Liz Kern/KMJ]
Fresno State shared his accomplishments:
• Academic performance:
o In June, 60 percent of student-athletes posted a GPA above 3.0, including 120 student-athletes who held a GPA above 3.50 and 41 who had a perfect 4.0.
o Five men’s and women’s sports earned NCAA public recognition awards for academic excellence achieving the highest possible Academic Progress Rate (APR) score with a perfect mark of 1,000 in May.
• Men’s basketball won the 2016 Mountain West tournament championship advancing to first NCAA tournament since 2001.
• Expanded Fresno State’s NCAA Division 1-sanctioned sports through the reinstatement of men’s wrestling and the addition of women’s water polo.
• Hired several distinguished head coaches, including: Jeff Tedford (football), Troy Steiner (wrestling), Natalie Benson (women’s water polo) and Linda Garza (softball) and Paluka Shields (men’s tennis).
President Castro appointed Steve Robertello as interim director of athletics.
Click below to listen to the report by KMJ’s Liz Kern:
