A college athletic director oversees all aspects of an athletics program, including the hiring of coaches and administrators, scheduling, promoting programs and events, constructing budgets, fund raising and so much more. Today, we continue our Q&A highlighting the 14 Athletic Directors in the Pacific West Conference.
Gary Pine has spent his entire adult life (almost) at Azusa Pacific, first as a student, then sports information director and now athletic director. He had stints at USC, the Big West Conference and with the California Angels, but is otherwise a lifetime Cougar. It's a family affair with the Pine's, as son Jared has worked in sports info at APU and then with the Pacific West Conference, and wife Sheri was the long time sports information director with the Golden State Athletic Conference (GSAC). Sheri also went to APU, as did all three of their sons and Gary parents.
*What was your first job in college athletics?
I started working in the athletics office at Azusa Pacific one day before classes started my freshman year. I did mostly clerical work at the start, but in a short time I moved on to sports information, game film, facility set-up, and I think I did laundry, too.
*When did you first realize that you wanted to be an A.D?
In my early years as a professional, the NAIA district meetings of ADs were held in the office next to mine. I could hear the workings of college athletics through the discussions of Cliff Hamlow (APU), Carroll Land (Point Loma), Chet Kammerer (Westmont), Roger Soule (Biola), Ron Prettyman (Vanguard) and others. It was fascinating to "eavesdrop" on their proceedings and hear how they managed different scenarios and challenges. Those meetings piqued my interest and a few years later, watching USC's Mike McGee, made me think I might want to move in the direction of athletics leadership.
*Who have been some of your mentors during your career and what have you learned from them?
I was very blessed to be mentored by 3 NAIA Hall of Famers and probably the 2 best media relations experts of college and Major League Baseball. I am proud of the fact that I was trained by all three prior APU athletics directors -- Cliff Hamlow, Terry Franson, and Bill Odell. Cliff was a phenomenal administrator, the best I have ever seen and others who have worked with him echo that same sentiment. I still meet with Cliff at least once a month. Terry was a master motivator and got the best out of everyone. Bill was a terrific problem solver, never giving up on an issue until it had a positive outcome. They are all in the Hall of Fame now, and I am fortunate to have been tutored by all of them. As a student at APU in the early 1980s, I did a 2-year internship with the California Angels, and I worked for Tim Mead, a fabulous PR agent who later in life oversaw the Hall of Fame in Cooperstown. I worked 3 years in sports information at USC, and in my early weeks there, Pac10 Assistant Commissioner Jim Muldoon said I was working for the best SID in all of college -- Tim Tessalone. He was right, and I had a number of media luminaries tell me the same thing as time went on. I learned a lot from both Tims.
*What advice would you give someone interested in a career in college athletics administration?
Be humble, be patient, and get along with everyone. Something I learned from my time with the Angels ... this isn't rocket science so be responsible and likeable and people will help move you along.
*Favorite Binge-Worthy Show
Tough question. I had to ask my wife, Sheri, for the answer. She said anything with Michigan football. She is right. I could watch replays of games all day. The only thing I ever really binged on was 24, and that was binge-lite.
*Favorite Fast Food
It should be In-n-Out but it's not so "in and out" anymore, so I'm not sure we can classify it as "fast food."
*Your Own Greatest Sporting Moment as a Coach or Player?
I was in a shooting slump and my dad told me to just have fun because I was doing anything but that ... next game I scored 20 points.
*Your favorite team or athlete of all time and why?
1985 APU Cougar football - led by Christian Okoye it was a great team that came within one first down in the final minute of making the NAIA playoffs for the first time in school history. That team and Christian gave me a lot of stories, and in many ways, launched my career in athletics administration.