Cal Poly Names Carter Henderson as New Director of Athletics

Henderson, currently a deputy athletics director at Stanford University, will begin his new role Oct. 13, bringing deep experience in intercollegiate athletics from programs around the country

SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif., Sept. 25, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Cal Poly has named Carter Henderson as its new director of athletics, effective Oct. 13, President Jeffrey D. Armstrong announced.

Currently deputy athletics director for external relations at Stanford University, Henderson brings deep experience in intercollegiate athletics from around the country. He succeeds Don Oberhelman, who announced his retirement from Cal Poly in June, leaving a legacy of academic and athletic success leading the university's Athletics Department for more than 14 years.

Henderson was appointed after a national search.

"As we searched for a new director to carry our momentum forward, it became clear that Carter's background and experience would bring tremendous benefit," Armstrong said. "He has the vision and strategy and the deep experience with operations, communications and fundraising to help our program reach even greater heights."

Since joining Stanford in 2021, Henderson has held several leadership roles, including executive associate athletics director for external relations and chief communications officer. Previously, he spent a decade at the University of Washington, advancing through leadership roles in external relations. He began his athletics career at Jacksonville University, building a foundation in external operations and brand management. He earned a bachelor's degree in journalism from the University of Florida in 2004.

"What struck me about Cal Poly is how intertwined Learn by Doing is throughout the university — including within athletics," Henderson said. "Learning by doing means practicing, trying, failing, getting back up, improving, succeeding. That resonates with me, and I look forward to helping our Mustangs pursue even greater athletic and academic success."

Cal Poly Athletics comprises 19 NCAA teams, competing mainly in the Big West Conference, playing football in the Big Sky Conference — developing and supporting more than 500 student-athletes to be their best in competition and in the classroom.

Cal Poly's student-athletes excel academically, with a 93 percent graduation rate and a cumulative GPA of 3.25 as of Spring 2025. In competition, Cal Poly teams have captured nearly 50 conference championships, including earning a Big West Commissioner's cup in 2023-24 after claiming an historic five conference titles on the year.

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SOURCE California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo