March 22, 2006

Chris Wyrick has been named Associate Athletics Director for Development at the University of South Carolina, Gamecocks’ Athletics Director Eric Hyman announced today.

Wyrick comes to USC from Vanderbilt University, where he has spent the past six years as the Commodores’ Executive Director of Development/National Commodore Club. While in Nashville, Wyrick was responsible for the Major Gifts aspect of athletics development. Specifically, he was responsible for raising the funds for the Memorial Gym practice facility, the football practice facility, the baseball stadium, track and the outdoor tennis facility. During his tenure, Vanderbilt raised almost $80 million for athletics. In the last seven months, Vanderbilt’s endowment increased by almost $15 million. In 2003, Wyrick was recognized as the National Fund Raiser of the Year for major Division I schools.

“Chris will be a fantastic addition to our staff,” said Hyman. “He is a people person and is very talented, as indicated by his proven track record. He will be a wonderful addition to the entire Gamecock family.”

“The University of South Carolina is getting ready to embark on a university-wide campaign, focused on upgrading its facilities,” said Wyrick. “It is a very similar roadmap to what we carved out at Vanderbilt six years ago. I’m looking forward to focusing my energies day-to-day in the development area and am excited about reuniting with Eric Hyman. I also appreciate the foundation built by Jeff Barber at USC,” continued Wyrick, “and I look forward to expanding on what he has accomplished and taking it to the next level.”

Wyrick, a 1992 graduate of North Carolina State University with a degree in political science, previously worked at his alma mater and at the University of Miami (Ohio) before his stint at Vanderbilt. A native of Greensboro, N.C., he and his wife, Merrily, have two daughters, Caroline and Caitlyn.