Jim Senter
Jim Senter was named UTEP’s Director of Athletics on Nov. 22, 2017. Senter served as Director of Intercollegiate Athletics at The Citadel, The Military College of South Carolina, from 2014-17. During that time he hired head coaches in football, men’s basketball, baseball, soccer and volleyball. Senter’s fundraising efforts resulted in significant improvements being made to the football, basketball and baseball facilities. He grew scholarship endowment by nearly $6 million in cash and pledges over three years. His total fundraising numbers set school records.
Senter went to The Citadel after spending seven years (2006-13) at the University of Colorado, where he worked his way up to Senior Associate Athletic Director for External Operations.
He began his tenure at Colorado as Associate AD for Development. In that role, his responsibilities included all fundraising efforts, including the annual fund (student-athlete scholarships), major gifts and coordinating all donation-related activities and staff. He was later elevated to Associate Athletic Director.
Before Colorado, Senter served as Associate Athletic Director for Development/Senior Associate AD for External Sales at San Diego State for 18 months. Aligned closely with the University foundation, he was responsible for overseeing the athletic department’s development efforts, including major gifts.
He spent 2003-05 as Director of Athletics at Idaho State University, a 16-sport Division I-AA program.
Senter began his college athletic career at the University of Idaho. After working as assistant head football coach and recruiting coordinator, he branched out into the administrative side. He served as Assistant and Associate Athletic Director of Development from 1998-2003 in a chief fundraising capacity.
During his coaching days, Senter was in charge of the defensive line, linebackers and secondary. He was a part of Idaho’s run to a 52-21 record over seven seasons and six NCAA playoff appearances. Senter began his coaching career at Coffeyville Community College in Kansas, where he was a student assistant in 1981 and 1982. He later held that role at his alma mater, the University of Tulsa, from 1983-85 before moving on to Idaho.
Senter earned his bachelor’s degree in physical education from Tulsa in 1985 and added a master’s degree in recreation from Idaho in 1992 while serving on the football coaching staff. He was born in Doylestown, Pa., and graduated from Jay (Okla.) High School where he was a football letter winner. He is married to the former Susan Beck and the couple has four children — Shawna, Derick, Matthew and Samantha.
