TUCSON, Ariz. (KGUN) — Desireé Reed-Francois helped take Missouri Athletics out of the red. Now she'll try to do the same here at the University of Arizona.
Univeristy President Dr. Robert Robbins presented Reed-Francois with a No. 24 jersey to represent her first year as UA Athletics Director.
During her first media conference in the role, she got emotional when she talked about being a mid-90's law school student here, reflecting on the university community at the time, saying the community was "...providing support when I needed it the most. I am forever grateful."
Reed-Francois's brother Roman had a football accident, leaving him quadriplegic.
"During this challenging time, it's my privilege and my duty to give back and help guide the athletic department forward," Reed-Francois said at the conference.
Reed-Francois leaves behind a successful three-year stint as athletic director at the University of Missouri, also giving this reason for the move:
"It's home," she said. "Quite simply, it's home."
She inherits an athletic department running a budget deficit with a hiring freeze that was lifted for her position.
"This is a critical moment for Arizona Athletics," Robbins said at the the conference. "Desireé will come up with the tactics and strategies to succeed in this modern era of college athletics."
As for Arizona cutting any of it's 22 sports, it was a one-word answer for Reed-Francois: "No."
Reed-Francois, who is of Mexican descent, is the first woman to lead Arizona Atheltics on a permanent basis.
"I hope that my future granddaughter, when she is a successful CEO, that she is asked, 'what is it like to be a successful CEO?' Not, 'what is it like to be a female CEO'."
Robbins called Reed-Francois "exactly what we need right now."
She brings, among her experience and personal past at UA, a vision for her time at the helm: "My vision is to build upon this storied history and work tirelessly towards a championship future."
MORE TEAM COVERAGE:
- One-on-one with Adia Barnes: Coaches' meeting AD Reed-Francois "went great"
- Retired UA Deputy of Athletics Rocky Larose on Desiree Reed-Francois
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ORIGINAL STORY:
The University of Arizona's new Athletic Director Desireé Reed-Francois is meeting with local media on campus Tuesday at 9 a.m.
Reed-Francois, previously the AD at the University of Missouri, was announced to lead the UA's athletic department on Monday, Feb. 19. A graduate of the UA's College of Law, Reed-Francois is set to officially take over as AD on March 3.
WATCH THE FULL MEDIA CONFERENCE IN OUR VIDEO PLAYER
Reed-Francois will be taking over for interim AD Mike Candrea, who stepped in after Dave Heeke was dismissed and left the athletic director role earlier this month.
More to come in our 5 & 6 p.m. newscasts later today.
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