August 22, 2000
BIRMINGHAM, AL — Herman R. Frazier, senior associate athletic director at Arizona State University, today was named athletic director at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. UAB President W. Ann Reynolds announced the appointment, effective October 7. Frazier succeeds Gene Bartow, who is retiring after 23 years at UAB.
“Herman Frazier has what it takes to keep moving UAB’s program to increasing levels of excellence,” Reynolds said. “His long-time, solid record at ASU together with the significant leadership roles he has held with the Olympics and other athletics organizations speaks to the depth and breadth of his experience in every facet of athletics administration. We are delighted to be welcoming him to UAB.”
“The progress UAB has made in its short history is legendary. Gene Bartow started this program, and many others here have contributed to its growth. I am honored and excited to have the opportunity to build upon that success,” Frazier said.
During his 23 year career at ASU, Frazier moved from graduate assistant with the track program to assistant director of events and facilities, director of athletic facilities, assistant director of operations, associate director of athletics and then senior associate athletic director for business and operations, a position he held since 1996. His experience at ASU includes business and operations, budgeting, compliance, facilities and events management, staffing, community/external liaison for many events and projects, and the management of 22 Olympic sports, men’s and women’s, simultaneously. He is managing a $24 million budget at ASU and has been overseeing a $30 million facilities improvement project for soccer, tennis, softball and basketball, and athletic offices.
An Olympic gold medalist, Frazier’s experience extends to international sports competition as well. He was elected one of three vice presidents of the U.S. Olympic Committee in 1996 and will be joining the U.S. Olympic team in Sydney, Australia, in September. Additionally, he was on the Olympic Games Atlanta Committee Board of Directors, the U.S. Olympic Athletes Advisory Council, the U.S. Olympic Overview Commission, the International Olympic Committee Athletes Commission, and the Games Preparation and Development committees.
He served as Chief Executive Officer of the USA Pan American Team in Winnipeg last year.
Active with the NCAA, he serves as a peer review team member and on the NCAA Certification Committee. Previously he was a member of the Olympic Liaison Committee and chaired the Track and Field Outdoor Championships (1994-95).
Frazier currently is on the Fiesta Bowl Board of Directors, having served as vice president in 1996 and chairman in 1998-99. As chairman, he oversaw the first unified championship of college football and conducted championship series negotiations that resulted in the largest ever pay-outs of $26 million.
Locally, he serves on the Tempe (Arizona) Convention and Visitors Bureau. Previously he served on the Maricopa County Sports Commission which was formed to attract national/international events to the Phoenix area.
Frazier is an accomplished athlete himself, having won a gold medal in the 4x400 relay and bronze medal in the 400-meter relay at the 1976 Olympic Games, and gold medals at the Pan American games in the 4x400 relay in 1975 and 1979. He also was a member of the 1980 U.S. Olympic team.
A graduate of ASU, Frazier was captain of the 1977 ASU National Championship Track Team. He is a former world-record holder in the indoor 500-meter and the outdoor 4x200 meter relay; former American-record holder in the indoor 400 meter; and the 1977 NCAA 400-meter champion.
Frazier, 45, is a native of Philadelphia.
UAB President Reynolds said she was “delighted with the outcome of this national search” that resulted in Frazier’s appointment. “I want to thank everyone who has been involved in this process. Many people within the university have dedicated a lot of time and work over the past month to ensuring that we made the best decision for UAB. Also, many people within the community have offered counsel and assistance in the recruiting and evaluation process, which helped us immensely.”