Dear Members of the Santa Clara University Community,

It is with mixed emotions that I announce that Renee Baumgartner has decided to step down as Athletic Director of Santa Clara University effective June 30th to return home to Oregon to attend to family health issues.  

Renee’s leadership over the past nine years has significantly advanced SCU athletics, and her achievements in many areas will continue well beyond her tenure. In particular, Renee has enhanced the overall experience of our student-athletes with her focus on their holistic well-being and academic accomplishments. She has built community within the department and beyond, amplified the game day experience, and helped secure resources to support all facets of the athletic program. 

Under Renee’s leadership, the University has added valuable facility resources for our student athletes and our community overall. These include construction of the Stephen C. and Patricia A. Schott Athletic Excellence Center and the soon to be completed Wipfler Family Golf Facility, as well as major renovations to the Leavey Center and Schott Stadium.

Indeed, Renee’s dynamism and passion have elevated the department and transformed Bronco Athletics.

Renee’s accomplishments also have been recognized externally. In spring of 2023, Renee was named one of the 28 recipients of the 2022-23 Cushman & Wakefield Athletics Director of the Year Award by the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA). This past October, Renee was appointed to the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Committee. Her past service also includes seats on the Division I NCAA Council, the Council Coordination Committee, and Chair of the Competition Oversight Committee.

Please join me in expressing appreciation to Renee for her service to Santa Clara University and her many contributions to collegiate athletics at SCU.  

We look forward to a bright future that builds upon Renee’s legacy. Thus, we will immediately launch a national search for the next Athletic Director. Details about the search will be announced in the near future. I am pleased that Staci Gustafson, who joined Santa Clara University in 2007 and currently serves as Deputy Director of Athletics, has agreed to serve as Interim Athletic Director until our search is complete. I have every confidence in Staci’s steady leadership during this transition.

With warm regards,

Julie Sullivan
President