LANCASTER – The University of Antelope Valley is pleased to announce the hiring of Anthony Harris as its Director of Athletics.

Harris is a recognized and motivated professional with more than 18 years of experience within athletic administration, coaching, teaching, and all aspects of leading the daily operations of highly competitive, structured programs.

He officially began his tenure with UAV Monday morning.

Harris is a dynamic leader with the necessary tools and experience to continue the advancement of the Pioneer athletic department. He is a current member of the California State Athletic Directors Association as well as the National Interscholastic Athletic Director’s Association. He has served as Conference President, Vice President, treasurer and CIF-SS league representative.

Upon his hiring, Harris stated: “Serving as Director of Athletics and managing the daily intricacies of an athletic program are an inherent part of who I am which has allowed me to establish and sustain success at multiple institutions, and I am very excited to have been given this opportunity by UAV and its administration.”

Most recently, Harris was the Director of Athletics at Linfield Christian School where his volleyball and football teams each captured Section Titles this fall.

Prior to Linfield, Harris spent seven years as Director of Athletics at La Salle High School in Pasadena, Calif., where he led an athletic department that offered 22 sports, 48 teams, 69 coaches, and nearly 500 student-athletes.

During his tenure, La Salle’s teams earned 18 CIF championships, 36 league titles, and one state crown while 84 student-athletes earned NCAA or NAIA athletic scholarships.

As Athletic Director at Campbell Hall for 10 years, Harris built an athletic program that excelled by capturing over 40 league titles, six CIF Championships and two state titles.

Prior to his tenure at La Salle, Harris coached defensive backs at Pasadena City College, served two years as head football coach at Chaminade and served as both Athletic Director and head football coach at Campbell Hall for 10 years, where he was named Coach of the Year in both 2001 and 2002.

In addition to his coaching and administrative duties, Harris served as the defensive backs coach for the West for the 2005 United States Army All-American Bowl, which hosts the top-80 prep football players in the nation.

Harris has mentored and developed hundreds of young men and women to become positive members of society through athletic participation. He still considers himself a coach at heart and enjoys his role of mentoring coaches today.

Also a man of faith, he is a leader committed to developing disciplined, respectful and hard-working student-athletes on and off the field.

Harris grew up in Pasadena and attended John Muir High School where he ran track and played football for the legendary head coach, Jim Brownfield. As an athlete, Harris achieved NCAA All-American honors as a sprinter at Cal State Los Angeles and was also a key contributor at wide receiver for the Western Athletic Conference Championship football team while at California State University, Northridge.

Associate Athletic Directors Nick Ferry and Jacob Garsez will remain in their current roles with UAV and will continue to play a vital part in the direction and growth of the athletic department as they work closely with Harris.

Harris is a husband and father. He and his wife, Liliana, and his children, Janee’, Avery, David, Genesis and Aiden, reside in the San Fernando Valley.