Dear Bear Family,

It is a bittersweet day as Corey and I decide to move on from the Director of Athletics position at Cal.

I have enjoyed every day – the highs, the lows and everything in between. As you should all know, the University of California, Berkeley, is a special place – the education, the athletics, the community, the location, but most important, the people.

The athletic department has been an incredible home since the day we arrived. We were welcomed with open arms by Chancellor Christ and her team, and we were amazed at the depth and breadth of this magnificent university.

We had a lot of fun traveling with our fans, supporting our student-athletes and watching excellence in so many areas. From winning four Big Games in a row to 10 team national championships, from record fundraising thanks to so many generous supporters to the best student-athlete development program in the country (the Cameron Institute!), from incredible coaches and staff to amazing student-athletes, from Olympic participation (over 100 Olympians between Tokyo and Paris!)) to the highest student-athlete graduation success rates in our history, holistic excellence is a part of everything we do and it is awe-inspiring.

I am proud to have served at this special university, and grateful to everyone who helped make our time so memorable. THANK YOU!

I wish the department and the university the best of luck in the future. We will be cheering on the Bears from afar while we bounce our grandchildren on our knees!

All the best and Go Bears!



Jim Knowlton