California Baptist University Athletic Director Takes New Post
RIVERSIDE, Calif. (April 20, 2023) – After leading California Baptist University (CBU) through a successful transition to NCAA Division I, CBU Athletic Director Tyler Mariucci announced today he is taking an executive level position at California State University, Northridge. His last day will be May 5, 2023.
“Tyler is a wonderful person, professional, and friend, and I have enjoyed working with him these last two years,” said Kent Dacus, CBU vice president for enrollment and student services. “He has elevated the CBU brand on the national stage and I will always root for him wherever his career takes him.”
Mariucci arrived at CBU in 2021 and led the Lancers to a full status member of NCAA Division I. In the Lancers debut LEARFIELD Directors Cup Standings in the fall of 2022, CBU was on top of the Western Athletic Conference (WAC) standings, garnering the most points in the WAC in the last 10 seasons.
Under Mariucci’s leadership, CBU collected multiple team and individual championships and NCAA berths in their first year of Division I eligibility. Revenue generation increased as fundraising, season ticket sales and attendance rose during his tenure. Additionally, CBU athletics negotiated and signed a five-year deal with BSN/Nike and one of the largest pouring right sponsorships at the Division I mid-major level with Pepsi.
Mariucci oversaw a $20 million facility campaign highlighted by the completion of the new $5 million soccer facility, which opened in August 2022, and the beginning of construction on the new state-of-the-art baseball and softball clubhouse.
“I want to thank Dr. Ellis and Kent Dacus for this incredible opportunity to lead an athletics department through a transformative time in this university’s history,” said Mariucci. “It has been a distinct honor to serve CBU, our talented student-athletes, coaches, and athletics family. With the recent momentum garnered on numerous fronts, the future for Lancer Athletics is exceptionally bright!”