Oct. 27, 2011

BERKELEY - After serving in a senior capacity with mutli-media marketing rights holders ISP Sports and IMG College, Solly Fulp has been named Deputy Director of Athletics and Chief Operating Officer for Cal Athletics, Director of Athletics Sandy Barbour announced Thursday. Fulp will begin his new position on Nov. 7.

Already very familiar with the Cal campus, Fulp returns to Berkeley where he worked from 2003-08, first as assistant athletic director for corporate development from 2003-05 and later as vice president and general manager for the Cal ISP Sports Network from 2005-08.

"Coming back to the University of California and Cal Athletics is a great opportunity for both my family and me," Fulp said. "To be part of the Cal team under Sandy Barbour's leadership is very meaningful to me, both professionally and personally. I am extremely grateful to (IMG College president) Ben Sutton and my experiences at IMG College, which have helped prepare me for this position."

In his new role at Cal, Fulp will manage both internal and external areas, overseeing marketing and business development efforts, the Athletic Ticket Office, event and gameday management, and facilities and operations, as well as serve as the sports supervisor for football, baseball, men's gymnastics, lacrosse and rugby.

"Solly brings a high level of enthusiasm and experience to our department and I am excited that he will be rejoining Cal Athletics as our chief operating officer," Barbour said. "Throughout his career, he has demonstrated the ability to be an effective, results-oriented leader, particularly in new business development. The COO position is critically important to our strategic priorities, and I know that Solly's skill set and passion will serve Cal Athletics well as we work together to fulfill our mission."

Prior to moving his career back to Berkeley, Fulp was conference vice president for IMG College's Pac-12 properties. Previously at ISP Sports before it was acquired by IMG College, he was senior vice president/conference relationship manager for the Pac-10. In both positions, he was responsible for managing outsourced sponsorships for seven conference athletic programs - Cal, Washington, Washington State, Oregon, Arizona, Arizona State and UCLA - and the Rose Bowl. In addition, he administered IMG College's West Coast regional sales operations. He led a staff of 47 full-time employees and oversaw annual revenue and operating budgets in excess of $60 million.

During his tenure with the Cal ISP Sports Network, Fulp supervised all sponsorship development efforts and managed the fulfillment of more than 100 partnership accounts. As assistant AD, he led Cal Athletics' strategy and cultivation for regional and national corporations. Fulp also interacted closely with University Relations and the California Alumni Association, among other units, on campus.

From 1996-2003, Fulp worked at Sacramento State, moving from director of athletic events and facilities to marketing director to associate athletic director for external affairs.

Fulp received his bachelor's degree in English from the University of Oregon and he earned a master's degree in educational administration and policy studies from Sac State. He has also recently served as an adjunct professor with the University of San Francisco's Sports Management program teaching a course on "The Business of College Athletics."