The leadership of the U.S. Military Academy named their new athletic director on Dec. 13, 2004 when USMA Superintendent Lieutenant General William J. Lennox Jr. announced the hiring of Kevin Anderson.

Anderson, who has been the executive associate athletic director for external affairs at Oregon State University since December 2002, brings a wealth of leadership to his new post, boasting more than two decades of solid experience. His selection followed a national search that produced a pool of more than 50 applicants for the NCAA Division 1 A job at Army. Anderson is expected to arrive at West Point early in 2005 to begin his new assignment. He replaces Rick Greenspan, who departed West Point in September to accept a similar position at Indiana University.

"From the time I was a small boy, I followed the Army-Navy game," Anderson said. "I love the tradition, and I love what the academy is all about - the mission of developing leaders who are not only going to lead on the field, but also lead this country after they graduate. I believe the West Point model should be applied to college athletic programs across the country - developing leaders of character, building strong minds, bodies and spirit. Those are the things that I've come to appreciate.

"I wanted this job more than any other job I've ever had," he added. "I've been a candidate for other positions, but walking on this soil on the day I had my final interview was one of the most exciting things in my life. Looking at the history, the beauty and what the academy stands for, and being able to do something at the athletic director level while representing my country means a great deal."

Army operates a 25 sport intercollegiate athletic program, highlighted by its nationally recognized football team. While Army's football program is set to return to Independent status next fall following a seven year association with Conference USA, the majority of the Black Knights' athletic programs hold membership in the Patriot League.

During his time at Oregon State, Anderson directed the athletic department's external operations, to include marketing and promotions, sports information, ticket operations and the Beaver Athletic Student Fund. He also oversaw Oregon State's highly successful football and men's basketball programs, leading the search and recruitment for OSU head football coach Mike Riley. The Beavers' football team will appear in its third consecutive postseason bowl game later this month under Riley's direction.

Anderson, who becomes the first African American to hold the position of director of athletics at the U.S. Military Academy, was a member of an OSU management staff that balanced the athletic department's budget for the first time in nearly 15 years.

"West Point is tremendously excited about the selection of Kevin Anderson to be Army's athletic director," Lennox said. "I am absolutely convinced he is the right person to build a competitive intercollegiate athletic program that represents the high standards of the institution.

"Kevin brings to the Military Academy a host of experience at top flight athletic programs throughout the country," he continued. "His leadership experience will be a tremendous asset to our program."

Anderson arrived in Corvallis, Ore., after serving as executive associate athletic director for external affairs at the University of California. He joined the California staff in November 1997 as assistant athletic director for annual programs and was promoted to associate athletic director for development, tickets and the Bears' baseball team in March 1999.

At California, Anderson was responsible for overseeing all fundraising matters involving capital giving and capital projects, as well as ticketing operations. He also functioned as the primary major gift officer for the athletic department.

Under his leadership, California raised more than $5 million annually, including a record number of funds in fiscal years 2001 and 2002. Anderson also spearheaded the effort to raise money for a renovation of Cal's Memorial Football Stadium.

Before accepting his position with the Golden Bears, Anderson served as area executive director of the YMCA of the East Bay from 1995 through 1997. He was director of annual giving with the Stanford University Athletic Department from 1993 through 1995 and was responsible for raising $5 million in annual gifts.

While at Stanford, Anderson worked with the Stanford University Provost, current Secretary of State, Condoleezza Rice. Rice echoed Army's sentiments about Anderson saying, "I have enjoyed working with Kevin, who is someone of integrity and who cares about the academic and athletic experience of the student."

Anderson served as director of development, marketing and communications of the San Francisco Education Fund from 1990 through 1993 and held the title of Northern California development director for the United Negro Fund from 1989 to 1990. He was also a manager with the Xerox Corporation from 1980 through 1989.

"I want to stress that we are going to do everything that we can to beat Navy and Air Force every year in all of our sports," said Anderson. "We want to continue to build on the progress the intercollegiate athletic program has experienced in recent years. One of my primary goals will be to continue restoring a winning tradition to the Army campus, while serving as an integral component of the leadership development process.

"We want to make sure that the cadet-athletes have the best experience possible, both on the field and off the field," he added. "I want these young people to be able to leave West Point and say that they've had a great experience. I also want the coaches, who do a tremendous job with these cadet-athletes, to feel supported and have the opportunity to teach with all the resources they need to be successful."

Anderson graduated from San Francisco State University in 1979 with a bachelor's degree in political science. He is also a 1981 graduate of the Xerox Corporation's New Manager School and the Xerox Marketing School in 1986. He completed the executive management program at the Sports Management Institute in 1995.

Kevin and his wife, Moira, have two daughters, Olivia and Michala, and a son, Kevin Jr.