LACEY, Wash. – Saint Matin's finally concluded the search for a new athletic director.

COMPLETE RELEASE

After the retirement of former athletic director Bob Grisham, SMU has been tirelessly search for a candidate to build upon Grisham's legacy and take Saint Martin's athletics to new heights. The search finally concluded as Steve O'Brien was named the new athletic director.

"On behalf of my family and I, we would like to thank Abbot Marion, Dr. Bonds-Raacke and the other members of the Search Committee for extending this incredible opportunity to lead the Saints' intercollegiate athletics program and for our entire family to join the Saint Martin's University family here in Lacey. Our Catholic faith, embrace of higher education and belief in the aspirational potential of a mission aligned intercollegiate athletics program makes SMU the perfect home for us. Intercollegiate athletics has the ability to play an important role in developing the whole person, reinforcing the institution's Benedictine values, and contributing to the advancement of the school's strategic objectives. I look forward to serving Dr. Bonds-Raacke's administration, the Saints' student-athletes and the Saint Martin's University community to the best of my ability. GO SAINTS!!!"

Prior to his new appointment, O'Brien was the senior assistant dean for external relations at Santa Clara University School of Law. He has also served as the assistant athletic director at Santa Clara University, associate athletic director at the University of California Santa Barbara, senior associate athletic director for the Naval Academy and the deputy director of athletics at San Jose State University.