Wyrick named UA vice chancellor

University of Arkansas Senior Associate Athletic Director of Development Chris Wyrick speaks during a press conference Wednesday morning in Fayetteville.
University of Arkansas Senior Associate Athletic Director of Development Chris Wyrick speaks during a press conference Wednesday morning in Fayetteville.

— Chris Wyrick has accepted a position as the University of Arkansas' vice chancellor of advancement after five months as executive director of The Razorback Foundation, Inc.

Wyrick will replace Brad Choate, who was reassigned last year when a review found the office had a $3.1 million shortfall for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2012, but that the funds were properly used, according to the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette.

University of Arkansas chancellor David Gearhart said Wyrick's start date in his new position has yet to be determined and will be dependent upon a succession plan at the foundation.

Sources indicate Sean Rochelle is the leading candidate to replace Wyrick at the foundation, the independent fundraising arm for Razorbacks athletics. Rochelle, who has been with the foundation since 2008, is currently the senior associate director.

Wyrick replaced Harold Horton as the head of the foundation last September. Horton retired last July after five years as executive director.

Prior to the UA, Wyrick held administrative jobs at the University of South Carolina, Vanderbilt University and his alma mater North Carolina State University. He was hired by UA athletics director Jeff Long in 2008 as senior associate athletics director for development.

In 2010, Wyrick spearheaded the "Razorback Seat Value Plan" - or R.S.V.P. - initiative, a seating equity plan for football games at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. As part of R.S.V.P. the foundation saw an increase of 2,151 members and $32 million raised for athletics in the fiscal year 2010-11.

Wyrick was also a driving force behind the multimedia rights contract signed between the Razorbacks and IMG Sports (formerly ISP), and played a role in merging the men's and women's athletics departments in 2008.

The university and Razorback Foundation are currently in the middle of long-term capital initiatives intended to improve and add facilities at the Fayetteville campus.

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