DURANGO, Colo. — Chris Aaland has been hired as the assistant director of athletics for external operations and communications, Fort Lewis College Director of Athletics Kelly Higgins announced today.

“This is a great opportunity for Athletics to gain from an experienced hand who knows how to raise funds, handle our relations with alumni, is an expert at sports information and bleeds Skyhawk Blue and Gold,” said Higgins. “In tough fiscal times, finding quality people like Chris who have the skills to multi-task is a rare treat that is much needed. The Athletic Department is glad to have him back on board working with us. I'm looking forward to it!”

Aaland, who has served as the college's director of alumni relations since March 1, 2006, will transition into his new role this month while he completes several alumni projects, including an August 15 gathering at Coors Field in Denver. He will begin performing athletic assignments immediately.

He is no stranger to Skyhawk athletics, having served as sports information director from 1992 to 2001, when he moved across campus to become the college's director of communications and publications from 2001 to 2006. During Aaland's tenure in the sports information office, he received numerous citations for excellence in publications from the College Sports Information Directors of America, including a Second in the Nation award for his 2000 men's and women's soccer guide.

“I'm excited to return to Skyhawk athletics,” said Aaland. “My jobs in the Public Affairs and Alumni Relations offices have taught me countless new skills that I will be able to use to advance our athletic programs.”

During his nine years away from Skyhawk athletics, Aaland stayed involved as a member and secretary of the Skyhawk Booster Club Board of Directors, chair of the Athletic Hall of Fame selection committee, and volunteer statistician, game-day announcer, and occasional radio color commentator for Skyhawk athletics. In his role as director of alumni relations, he assisted numerous FLC sports teams with fundraising efforts, special events and alumni outreach.

“Fort Lewis College alumni and the Durango community are quite proud of the accomplishments of our teams in recent years,” Aaland said. “I've been presented with an opportunity to work closely with what I believe is the best coaching and support staff in NCAA Division II. Two NCAA championships, two NCAA runner-up trophies, countless RMAC titles and NCAA playoff berths in other sports, and the success of student-athletes in the classroom makes Skyhawk athletics an integral part of the fabric of our college.

“I'm also very proud of the accomplishments that we've been able to achieve with the Office of Alumni Relations and FLC Alumni Association,” he said. “In the past four years, we were able to launch online communities, monthly electronic newsletters, new affinity programs and alumni services, host events across Colorado and the rest of the country, and engage more than 28,000 FLC alumni who are spread out around the world. The friendships I've forged with Alumni Association board members and FLC Foundation and Development staff are ones I'll cherish for the rest of my life.”

Aaland is a 1991 graduate of Fort Lewis College who majored in business administration and English/communications. During his undergraduate years, he served as student body vice president, editor-in-chief of the FLC Independent newspaper and longtime KDUR DJ — a volunteer role that he has continued to perform since 2003.

His wife, Shelly Aaland, is the head volleyball coach at Fort Lewis. The couple has a three-year-old son, Otto.

Two members of the Skyhawk athletic staff resigned at the end of July for other professional opportunities. Clayton Zenner, who served as assistant director of athletics for external operations from 2007 through 2010, is moving to Phoenix. Ben Martinez, who served as sports information director in 2009-10 and operations coordinator in 2008-09, will be accepting a management position with a Durango business.

“Clayton and Ben have been loyal and dedicated employees within Skyhawk Athletics and I thank them for their service and wish them all the best in the future,” said Higgins.