A prolific higher education administrator and fundraiser, Tim Rice enters his third year (2021) as the Aztecs’ senior associate athletic director for development. Under the leadership of John David Wicker, Rice and the Athletics Development unit continue to build a culture of philanthropy that supports the continued growth and success of SDSU Athletics.
During the 2019-20 fiscal year, the fundraising arm of the athletic department raised an all-time school-record $33.6 million in pledges and commitments. Under Rice’s direction, the Aztec Club set a new high for the annual fund cash raised ($6.1 million), total donors (5,691), and Director's Cabinet members (92). Much of this success is attributed to the rebrand of the Aztec Club and the “INVEST. INSPIRE. BELIEVE.” messaging campaign, launching new digital communications and outreach efforts, a renewed team-centered approach, along with a deeper partnership with University Relations & Development. Ultimately, Rice’s approach of “activity equals outcomes” and “the harder you work the luckier you get” sets the tone for the athletics development team.
The touchpoint moment of Rice's tenure at SDSU thus far came in the form of a $15-million dollar gift commitment from San Diego philanthropist, Mrs. Dianne L. Bashor. The transformational gift was the result of a partnership between Rice, John David Wicker, and SDSU Vice President for University Relations & Development, Adrienne Vargas. Mrs. Bashor, a first time SDSU donor, provided the lead gift for the building of Aztec Stadium, the first project scheduled for SDSU's expansion into Mission Valley.
Under Rice’s direction, the Director’s Cabinet grew by 41%, as membership to the leadership annual giving society for donors contributing at least $30,000 to the athletics department grew from 65 donors to 92 donors (current numbers as of end of 2020).
Rice has worked diligently to build a staff culture of communication and teamwork, while growing the department’s connection to the San Diego community. In addition to his duties in the development wing of the athletics department, Rice is the Mountain West Conference Co-Representative for NAADD (National Association of Athletics Directors of Development) and hosts quarterly MWC Roundtable Meetings on relevant topics around the conference. He also acts as the sport liaison for the San Diego State men’s and women’s tennis programs.
In the community, Rice serves as SDSU Athletics liaison to the San Diego Sports Association and proudly serves on a committee for the San Diego arm of Coaching Corps.
Rice joineds the Aztec staff in October of 2018 after spending the past two years as associate athletic director for football development at San José State University. Working hand-in-hand with 2020 MWC Coach of the Year, Brent Brennan, to invigorate program resources.
While at SJSU, Rice worked as a key member of the university advancement team charged with forging a strong cross-campus partnership with intercollegiate athletics. He also led efforts and provided leadership to “ALL IN, the Campaign for Spartan Football” – a $40 million capital drive designed to enhance football facilities, which has since successfully begun construction.
During the fiscal year 2017-18, Rice was the top fundraiser across all campus units at San José State, securing over $9 million in pledges and commitments supporting various areas. He also cultivated and secured the largest gift in the history of Spartan football totaling $5 million, as well as the lead donor supporting the new football operations building.
In addition, Rice designed and launched the “Bronzan Society”, a football leadership giving program at SJSU that recognizes donors of $100,000 or more specifically to the football program.
From 2010-13, Rice completed his first stint at SJSU as the Spartan athletic department’s development coordinator before spending the next three years at Northern Illinois University, where he had the opportunity to learn from college athletics veteran administrator and Diversity & Inclusion industry leader, Sean T. Frazier. At NIU, Rice oversaw a Huskie Athletic Fund staff of five full-time employees and spearheaded the efforts to redesign and relaunch all aspects of athletics development. That comprehensive relaunch resulted in a 172% increase in overall giving to NIU athletics.
At NIU, Rice was promoted to senior assistant athletic director for revenue generation, a position focused on growing all department-wide revenue streams. In his role, Rice worked closely with ticketing, marketing and Huskie Sports Properties to ensure all revenue-generating units were effectively synchronized.
In addition, Rice executed a remodel of all donor parking and premium seating at NIU’s Huskie Stadium, resulting in an 89% increase in premium seating revenue.
Rice graduated in 2006 with a bachelor’s degree from Grand Valley State University in Allendale, Mich., before obtaining his master’s in sport management from the University of San Francisco in 2010.While at GVSU, Rice served as a student marketing assistant for two years and led the creation of Laker Nation, the official student section of GVSU Athletics, which remains as the largest student organization in the school's history. He also worked as a graduate assistant in the office of athletics development at the University of California, Berkeley.