Colorado State University Athletics
Men's Basketball
- Title:
- Deputy A.D., Sport Administrator: Men's Basketball
- Phone:
- (970) 491-7075
Steve Cottingham joined CSU Athletics in 2012 and currently serves as the Deputy Director of Athletics. Cottingam previously served as the Senior Associate Athletic Director for business operations/Chief Financial Officer in 2012 and was promoted to the Executive Associate Athletic Director in 2015.
As Deputy Athletic Director, Cottingham is responsible for assisting the athletic director in leadership, management, and oversight of all aspects of the athletic department. He has day-to-day fiscal and operational oversight of the athletic department:
- Serves as a member of the department’s executive staff and acts on behalf of the Director of Athletics in all matters relating to the department in the Athletic Director’s absence
- Oversees department strategic planning and management of all department capital projects
- Oversees key personnel functions including employment contracts, compensation, retention and professional development
- Oversees the department’s annual budget and the budgeting process for all teams and units of the department
- Ensures fiscally responsible operations
- Oversees all contract and game contract negotiations
- Serves as primary sport administrator for Men’s Basketball, Men’s Golf and Women’s Golf
Cottingham previously served as the director of athletics at Marquette from 2008-11, after serving as the department’s interim director since January 2007. During his tenure, Cottingham oversaw the university’s 14 intercollegiate sports and coaching staffs. He also supervised the management of the intercollegiate athletics team that handled the administrative functions of the department, including fiscal operations, media relations, facilities, fundraising, ticket sales, and marketing.
Cottingham spent a total of 16 years at Marquette, the first 12 as part of the university’s administrative leadership team. He served as associate senior vice president from 2003-07. In this role, Cottingham acquired a proven track record of strategic planning and sound fiscal management with the athletic department budget.
Prior to his role as associate senior vice president, Cottingham was Marquette’s associate general counsel from 1995-2003. He had previously been in private practice, specializing in corporate transactions, including the buying and selling of businesses, and securities law.
Cottingham helped elevate Marquette’s program to a national level in his efforts in Marquette’s move to the Big East Conference. He also worked to reinvent the internal structure, joining forces with athletic fundraising to increase annual giving to record levels.
Cottingham earned his undergraduate degree from Wisconsin in 1983 and went on to receive his law degree from George Washington University in 1987.
Cottingham and his wife, Lisa, have three children: Taira, Joe, and Alyssa.
