PULLMAN — Bill Stevens has been named Washington State University sports information director, effective Aug. 1, WSU Athletics Director Jim Sterk announced today. Stevens replaces Rod Commons, who has served as director for the past 31 years.
“We are delighted to announce the appointment of Bill Stevens from assistant director to director,” Sterk said. “Bill came to WSU two years ago with great experience both in the intercollegiate and professional ranks. As we progressed through a national search process Bill elevated himself to become the right choice for the job. The coaches and staff who have worked with Bill the past two years are very supportive of his promotion.”
Stevens is a 1987 graduate of WSU and returned to his alma mater in 2005 to serve as an assistant in the sports information office. His assignments have included football, baseball and tennis.
“I want to thank Jim Sterk and the entire athletic administration for the opportunity they have given me. This position is one I have long-desired and I can think of no greater place for myself or my family than Washington State University.”
While a student at WSU Stevens was a four-year member of the Cougar tennis team coached by Rex Davis. He also spent two years as a student assistant in the sports information office.
Stevens came to WSU from the University of California Davis, where he spent five years as an assistant director. During his tenure at UC Davis he oversaw the services for eight varsity sports and the Cal Aggie Athletic Hall of Fame.
Following his graduation from WSU, Stevens spent five years with the Kings, serving as the liaison between the team’s front office, coaches and players and the media.
From 1992 until 1999 Stevens was a staff member for College Tennis Weekly, a magazine focusing on college tennis. In 1996, he returned to the Kings organization for a four-year stint, during which time he worked with the NBA team, the Monarchs of the WNBA and the Knights of the World Indoor Soccer League. As manager of creative services, he managed their in-house publications and also served as a media contact.
Commons, who joined the WSU athletic staff as sports information director in 1976, will continue to work in athletics on a halftime basis. He will serve as the department’s lead photographer, coordinate WSU Athletic Hall of Fame activities, serve as historian and work on several special projects.
“I could not be happier with the selection of Bill Stevens as the new director,” Commons noted. “He is a veteran of the business, a professional and the right choice to lead the WSU sports information office.
“My wife and I are Cougars for life and we are not going anywhere,” Commons added. “It is, however, time to spend more time with my family, including six grandchildren. I have had over 40 wonderful years in the business and Washington State is now allowing me to stay involved, but on a schedule that allows me the freedom to spend more time with family and friends and to pursue other interests. I am very grateful to WSU for 31 great years and for providing me this new opportunity.”
