Larry Williams Position: Director of Athletics Institution: University of Portland

Larry Williams was hired as the director of athletics at the University of Portland in June of 2004 after serving as the director of licensing at the University of Notre Dame from 1999-2003.

Now in his fourth year at The Bluff, Williams has spearheaded a number of projects regarding athletics enhancement, capital improvements, increasing student-athlete resources, and securing bids for the University to serve as host for numerous regional and national athletic championships.

Williams has overseen the continuing process of renovating the Clive Charles Soccer Complex, improving one of the nation's finest soccer facilities into the premier venue for both student-athletes and fans. Throughout the spring and summer of 2006, a build-out of the Chiles Center allowed more space for the renovation of all women's locker rooms, a project that was completed in August of 2006. The final phases of the project are now being concluded as a new FieldTurf practice field was completed in the summer of 2007, while concourse upgrades are expected to be finished by November.

The University has hosted numerous high profile athletics events during Williams' tenure, including women's soccer NCAA playoff matches in 2003, 2004 and 2005. Portland served as host of the 2006 NCAA Division I Men's Golf Championships in Sunriver, Ore., the 2006 NCAA West Regional Cross Country Championships, and the 2007 West Coast Conference Basketball Championships.

Williams also spearheaded the effort for the newly unveiled University of Portland athletics logo and word marks, providing the University with a guided plan for brand enhancement entering the 2007-08 sports season. He has also put in place numerous television contracts to get Portland Pilots soccer and basketball on the air in local, regional, and national television markets.

During his first three years at the helm of the department, Portland claimed its second NCAA Championship in women's soccer (2005), the men's cross country program has advanced to two NCAA Championships, men's tennis earned its first-ever national ranking and the Pilots finished tied for 100th in the 2005-06 U.S. Sports Academy Directors' Cup Standings.

A native of Santa Ana, Calif., Williams was a two-time all-American offensive lineman for the Fighting Irish before splitting time with four NFL teams - Cleveland Browns, San Diego Chargers, New Orleans Saints, and New England Patriots - during his professional career. He played in several playoff and conference championship games, participated in a variety of community outreach programs and negotiated player employment contracts with NFL clubs.

During his years as a professional athlete, he completed law school, graduating in 1992 from the University of San Diego School of Law.

He worked in business law for five years for the Indianapolis based law firm of Baker & Daniels before returning to his alma mater as director of licensing.

Williams is married to Laura Lee, a former collegiate all-American and national champion tennis player at Notre Dame. They have five children Kristin (20), Sean (18), Scott (16), Eric (13) and Louis (9).