UAF names Gutierrez interim athletic director

January 22, 2018

Kayne Gutierrez will serve as the interim athletic director at the University of Alaska Fairbanks.

Gutierrez was formerly the assistant athletic director for compliance at UAF, a position he has held since June of 2016. He has a degree in sports communication from Eastern New Mexico University and has more than a decade of experience as an administrator in NCAA Division I and Division II athletics programs.

Gutierrez’s years and range of experience will be an asset to Nanooks athletics, said Keith Champagne, vice chancellor for student affairs. The UAF Department of Athletics is part of the student affairs division. Champagne also noted that Gutierrez has a strong commitment to diversity, inclusion and equity.

“Kayne has the skills, experience and expertise to provide stable and progressive leadership to the program,” Champagne said.

Gutierrez is taking over for Gary Gray, who stepped down to take a position at East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania after leading the Nanooks for more than five years. Gray’s last day was Sunday, Jan. 21.

The university plans to launch a national search for a permanent replacement and hopes to have the position filled before the beginning of the fall 2018 semester.

The Alaska Nanooks compete in Division I hockey, multi-divisional Nordic skiing and rifle, and Division II swimming, cross-country, volleyball, and men’s and women’s basketball. The program includes 126 student-athletes, as well as a staff of 28.

ADDITIONAL CONTACT: Nona Letuligasenoa, 907-474-6087, nona.l@alaska.edu.