UCSB’s John McCutcheon is known for making things happen as a college athletics administrator.
As a first-time director of athletics at Cal Poly in the 1990s, he helped the school make the transition from NCAA Division 2 to Division 1 and secure membership in the Big West Conference. In his 11 years of running the athletic department at the University of Massachusetts, he had a major role in getting facilities upgraded and new ones built.
"He cares deeply about our student-athletes and supported their success both on and off the field," said UMass Chancellor Kumble R. Subbaswamy when McCutcheon announced he was leaving UMass for UCSB in January. "Under John's leadership, our athletics program meets the highest standards of academic integrity. He has played a vital role in elevating the stature of our flagship campus." UCSB boosters hope the new director of athletics — who cut his sports admin chops at U of Maine and Boston College — still has that Midas touch.