Dr. Nick Pettit, shown at left at Doerr Family Field Ribbon Cutting and at right at men's basketball Senior Night ceremony.
Deputy Director of Athletics Dr. Nick Pettit Accepts New Position
6/14/2022 4:48:00 PM | General
SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. -- Dr. Nick Pettit, Cal Poly's Deputy Director of Athletics for over seven years, has announced his resignation in order to accept the position of Athletic Director for Sparta School District in his home state of Michigan.
"I'm extremely excited for this new chapter of my career, serving student-athletes and helping them achieve their goals and aspirations," said Pettit.
"It was an honor and privilege to become part of an organization that embraces and embodies such high academic and athletic standards," said Dr. Pettit. "Cal Poly is a very special place. My thanks to President Armstrong and Don Oberhelman for giving me this amazing opportunity."
Dr. Pettit, who has over 25 years of experience in athletics, facilitated the construction of the Dignity Health Baseball Clubhouse as well as Doerr Family Field and the Steve Miller & John Capriotti Athletics Complex. His other projects included the recently completed installation of artificial turf at Alex G. Spanos Stadium, the Swanson Beach Volleyball Complex, the Mustang Golf Academy at Dairy Creek Golf Course and various Bob Janssen Field (softball) and Mott Athletics Center (basketball and volleyball) enhancements.
Pettit also assisted with recent head coaching searches for football, men's basketball, men's and women's golf, women's tennis and beach volleyball. Cal Poly's contract with Adidas and development, delivery and implementation of the Strategic Plan for 2016-22 also were under Pettit's watch and he has served as vice chair of the Cal Poly Corporation.
"Dr. Pettit has been an integral part of Cal Poly Athletics over his seven years with the Mustangs," said Cal Poly Director of Athletics Don Oberhelman. "We will miss his leadership and wish him and his family well on their new opportunities in Michigan."
Before he was hired at Cal Poly in January 2015, Dr. Pettit was Associate Athletic Director of Facilities and Event Operations at San Diego State for nearly seven years.
He began his second stint with the Aztecs in July 2003 as the Director of Equipment Services and was promoted in 2008 to Associate Athletic Director of Facilities and Event Operations, a position in which he successfully led several areas of the department including all athletic facilities, events, video services, equipment operations, men's soccer, softball, and women's rowing.
Among his many tasks with the Aztecs, Pettit played a primary role in managing facility improvement projects totaling over $7 million, including a 1,700-square-foot softball clubhouse, renovation of Peterson Gymnasium, championship level field lighting installation for the SportsDeck (soccer and track facility), football practice field renovation, softball field Daktronics LED board installation, and Fowler Athletic Center remodel.
Prior to his arrival at San Diego State, Pettit was an equipment manager with the San Francisco 49ers from 1999 to 2003. As an undergraduate at Michigan State, Pettit was the Head Football Manager from 1995-98. Under the tutelage of Head Coach Nick Saban, he supervised a staff of eight students in daily practice and game setup. Pettit was a Graduate Assistant Intern Equipment Manager at San Diego State during the 1998-99 academic year.
Pettit is a native of Grand Ledge, Michigan. He graduated from Michigan State University in 1998 with a bachelor of science degree in food industry management, earned a master's degree in sports management from the United States Sports Academy in Daphne, Alabama, in 2007, and completed his doctorate in educational leadership at San Diego State in 2013. Pettit's doctorate research focused on Division I student-athlete academic success, specifically within the at-risk population, and how athletic departments can best serve their students.
"I'm extremely excited for this new chapter of my career, serving student-athletes and helping them achieve their goals and aspirations," said Pettit.
"It was an honor and privilege to become part of an organization that embraces and embodies such high academic and athletic standards," said Dr. Pettit. "Cal Poly is a very special place. My thanks to President Armstrong and Don Oberhelman for giving me this amazing opportunity."
Dr. Pettit, who has over 25 years of experience in athletics, facilitated the construction of the Dignity Health Baseball Clubhouse as well as Doerr Family Field and the Steve Miller & John Capriotti Athletics Complex. His other projects included the recently completed installation of artificial turf at Alex G. Spanos Stadium, the Swanson Beach Volleyball Complex, the Mustang Golf Academy at Dairy Creek Golf Course and various Bob Janssen Field (softball) and Mott Athletics Center (basketball and volleyball) enhancements.
Pettit also assisted with recent head coaching searches for football, men's basketball, men's and women's golf, women's tennis and beach volleyball. Cal Poly's contract with Adidas and development, delivery and implementation of the Strategic Plan for 2016-22 also were under Pettit's watch and he has served as vice chair of the Cal Poly Corporation.
"Dr. Pettit has been an integral part of Cal Poly Athletics over his seven years with the Mustangs," said Cal Poly Director of Athletics Don Oberhelman. "We will miss his leadership and wish him and his family well on their new opportunities in Michigan."
Before he was hired at Cal Poly in January 2015, Dr. Pettit was Associate Athletic Director of Facilities and Event Operations at San Diego State for nearly seven years.
He began his second stint with the Aztecs in July 2003 as the Director of Equipment Services and was promoted in 2008 to Associate Athletic Director of Facilities and Event Operations, a position in which he successfully led several areas of the department including all athletic facilities, events, video services, equipment operations, men's soccer, softball, and women's rowing.
Among his many tasks with the Aztecs, Pettit played a primary role in managing facility improvement projects totaling over $7 million, including a 1,700-square-foot softball clubhouse, renovation of Peterson Gymnasium, championship level field lighting installation for the SportsDeck (soccer and track facility), football practice field renovation, softball field Daktronics LED board installation, and Fowler Athletic Center remodel.
Prior to his arrival at San Diego State, Pettit was an equipment manager with the San Francisco 49ers from 1999 to 2003. As an undergraduate at Michigan State, Pettit was the Head Football Manager from 1995-98. Under the tutelage of Head Coach Nick Saban, he supervised a staff of eight students in daily practice and game setup. Pettit was a Graduate Assistant Intern Equipment Manager at San Diego State during the 1998-99 academic year.
Pettit is a native of Grand Ledge, Michigan. He graduated from Michigan State University in 1998 with a bachelor of science degree in food industry management, earned a master's degree in sports management from the United States Sports Academy in Daphne, Alabama, in 2007, and completed his doctorate in educational leadership at San Diego State in 2013. Pettit's doctorate research focused on Division I student-athlete academic success, specifically within the at-risk population, and how athletic departments can best serve their students.
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