Compete Every Day: Eric Roedl believes education is the key to competing on a level playing field. He knows any time a young athlete steps off the field they are starting a new challenge; they have to learn to compete every day.
“Academics have always been an important part of my life from an early age,” explains Eric, “college athletic administration kind of lies at the intersection of my passions.” As the Deputy Athletic Director of The University of Oregon, those passions of athletics and education serve up new daily challenges. “I think of the opportunity as an administrator to compete every day and make a positive difference in young people’s lives as they set out to achieve their goals.”
“Eric is passionate about the student-athlete experience and broad-based excellence,” describes Athletic Director Rob Mullens. Mullens praises Eric’s calm and thoughtful approach and says his guidance has gone a long way with the student-athletes that he interacts with on a daily basis. He also explains how the university and Eric have become intertwined, “He wears numerous leadership hats at Oregon Athletics and his contributions are directly tied to our success.”
“I’m devoted to creating a strong positive culture which puts a high value on student-athlete success and achievement,” says Eric. He knows the Ducks of today will be the leaders of tomorrow. Eric also knows he’s not the only team member impacting their lives, “It’s about motivating others; supporting staff members and empowering to lead and to innovate and make decisions.”
Eric Roedl is proud of the culture and core values that he’s helping build at the University of Oregon. He emphasizes competing every day in the classroom, on the field, and in the advancement of personal goals. “At its core, we’re all competing every day to help our student-athletes get better and to reach their fullest potential.”
Before his time with the Ducks, Eric served in various capacities with Temple University Athletics and as associate director of athletic business affairs at the College of William & Mary. Eric himself attended Villanova University as an undergraduate and served as a co-captain of the men’s tennis team while graduating summa cum laude. He then continued his commitment to education by earning a master’s degree in sports administration from the University of North Carolina, then an MBA from The College of William & Mary and became a CPA in New York.
Eric is devoted to carving out success daily, “we want to create an environment where individually we are growing or improving towards personal and professional goals. That to me is what success looks like.”
That’s what success looks like to us as well. We are thrilled to count Eric Roedl among our NEXT UP honorees.