CSU Bakersfield Appointed New Athletics Director

Andy Fiske will lead the university athletics department after a one-year vacancy in the position.

Updated on Sept. 28, 2026 in People

CSU Bakersfield Appointed New Athletics Director

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California State University, Bakersfield has selected Andy Fiske to serve as the fifth permanent athletics director in university history. The appointment follows a one-year period where the position remained vacant after the departure of former director Kyle Conder.

Why it matters

The leadership change arrives as the department seeks stability following the departure of its previous director, who exited the university while embroiled in a wrongful termination lawsuit alleging whistleblower retaliation.

Andy Fiske joins as the fifth permanent director in CSUB history after a vacancy lasting one year. He brings 20 years of experience to the role, including five years previously spent working for Learfield.

The players

Andy Fiske

He is the newly appointed athletics director who previously managed external affairs at Sacramento State University.

Kyle Conder

He is a former athletics director at the university who is currently pursuing a wrongful termination lawsuit against the institution.

Vernon B. Harper Jr.

He serves as the president of California State University, Bakersfield.

The details

CSUB President Vernon B. Harper Jr. and a formal search committee finalized the selection of Fiske, who currently serves as senior associate athletic director for external affairs at Sacramento State University. Fiske, an alumnus of California Polytechnic State University, previously held roles with UC Davis Sports Properties.

September 2025: Former director Kyle Conder departed the university.
2022: Fiske began his tenure at Sacramento State University.
September 28, 2026: The university officially announced the appointment.
Mid-October 2026: Andy Fiske is expected to begin his leadership role on campus.

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Market Landscape

This appointment marks a significant transition for the university as it attempts to move past the institutional turmoil surrounding the 2025 wrongful termination lawsuit filed by Kyle Conder. The university is positioning itself to stabilize its athletic operations after a year of vacancy in the top leadership post.

The transition may affect department priorities and the management of future athletic programs for students and fans. The public can expect leadership changes to take effect on campus starting in mid-October.

The takeaway

The university is prioritizing a return to normal athletic administration after a period of significant legal and organizational disruption. Campus stakeholders should look for shifts in department strategy once the new director officially transitions into the role this fall.