It’s official: Sterk an Aztec

SAN DIEGO – Washington State athletic director Jim Sterk was hired Monday for the same position at San Diego State.

Sterk had been the athletic director at Washington State since 2000. He also has worked for North Carolina, Maine, Seattle, Pacific, Tulane and Portland State, where he was the athletic director from 1995 until he took over the Cougars’ position.

Sterk, whose contract will be finalized in the next few weeks, said he would move to San Diego in mid-March to begin his new job.

“This was an opportunity for me that I just couldn’t turn down from both a family and professional standpoint,” he said.

“My peers in the Pac-10, Mountain West and around the country have always referred to San Diego State as a sleeping giant, with just a huge upside.”

Sterk, 53, replaces Jeff Schemmel, who resigned in November after a university investigation determined there were irregularities in his reimbursement requests for travel.

San Diego State president Stephen Weber said Sterk is a perfect fit for the Aztecs’ rising athletic program.

“Jim has been successful with a budget similar to ours,” Weber said.

“Washington State has sent 13 teams to NCAA postseason tournaments in the last three years. He increased fundraising at Washington State from $3 million in 2000 to $13 million in 2008.

“In the last 10 years, 92 percent of Washington State’s student-athletes who have exhausted their eligibility have graduated.”