The Citadel Athletics

Art Chase joined The Citadel as Director of Athletics on Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2025.

Chase returned to The Citadel after serving in various roles within the Duke University Athletics Department for the previous 25 years, most recently as the Senior Associate Director of Athletics / External Affairs, and this is Chase’s third tour at The Citadel. He served as an Assistant Sports Information Director for two years, then after a brief stint at Presbyterian College, returned as the Sports Information Director for three years.

Chase joined the Duke Athletics staff in August 2000. He held Associate Sports Information Director (2000-04), Sports Information Director (2005-10), Assistant Director of Athletics / Sports Information (2011-13), Assistant Director of Athletics / External Affairs (2013-17) and Associate Director of Athletics / External Affairs (2017-18) titles before being elevated to the department’s Senior Associate Director of Athletics / External Affairs position in October 2018.

A member of the Duke Athletics executive leadership team, Chase served as the primary administrator for the football program working with head coach Manny Diaz. Over his final three seasons (2022-24), the Blue Devils football program recorded 26 victories on the gridiron to rank third among ACC programs in total wins, trailing only Clemson (30) and Louisville (27). In addition, Duke compiled a home record of 16-3 (.842) to mark the highest winning percentage among ACC schools in that time period. In addition to Diaz, Chase worked alongside a pair of Duke head football coaches who earned ACC Coach of the Year honors in David Cutcliffe (2012 & 2013) and Mike Elko (2022).

Chase oversaw Duke Athletic Department’s Communications, Marketing, Photography and Ticket Operations divisions while chairing the Duke Athletics Hall of Fame Committee. In addition, he served as the department’s primary liaison with the institution’s communications groups and was the Executive Director of the National Football Foundation’s Bill Dooley Chapter, having previously served a two-year stint as the organization’s president in 2020-21. From 2022-25, Chase co-chaired the Duke Athletics Centennial Steering Committee as the university celebrated the 100-year anniversary of Duke’s transition from Trinity College following a transformational gift from James B. Duke.

Chase, who concluded the 2024 football season having worked 395 consecutive games over a 34-year stretch at three institutions, formally hosted the Duke Basketball Radio Show for six years (2009-15) and the Duke Football Radio Show for 13 seasons (2009-21), and has worked as a broadcaster for ESPN’s coverage of college baseball, lacrosse, soccer, softball and wrestling. Also, he previously spent four seasons (2019-22) as the primary administrator for Duke’s wrestling program and served on the Atlantic Coast Conference Wrestling Committee in 2021.

In 2013, the Duke sports information office was honored by the Football Writers Association of America with a Super 11 Award, an accolade presented annually by the organization to recognize excellence in the media relations field for college football. In 2016, Chase was honored with a 25-Year Award from the College Sports Information Directors of America organization.

From 2001-18, Chase worked 18 seasons with the Blue Devil men’s lacrosse program in both communications and administrative roles as the Blue Devils compiled an overall record of 212-89, won nine ACC regular season championships (2001, 2005, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014), secured six ACC Tournament crowns (2001, 2002, 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2012), advanced to the NCAA Final Four on 10 occasions (2005, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2018) and captured three NCAA championships (2010, 2013 & 2014). Also during that span, Duke boasted 27 first team All-America selections, two Tewaaraton Trophy honorees in Matt Danowski (2007) and Ned Crotty (2010) and three USILA National Coach of the Year citations with Mike Pressler (2005) and John Danowski (2010 & 2013).

Among his many assignments working various Atlantic Coast Conference, Southeastern Conference, Southern Conference and NCAA championship events, Chase served as the media coordinator of the 2001 NCAA Men’s Golf Championships held at the Duke University Golf Club.

He graduated from Guilford College in 1991 with a Bachelor of Science degree in sport management.

A native of Chapel Hill, N.C., Chase is married to the former Kaye Watts of Mayesville, S.C., and the couple has one yellow Labrador, Samson.



WHAT THEY'RE SAYING ABOUT ART CHASE

“Simply put, The Citadel just hit the intercollegiate athletics lottery by securing the highly accomplished leadership of Art and Kaye Chase! Art is a highly seasoned professional that is truly an educator at the core, who is, unequivocally, devoted to providing a stellar experience for all student-athletes, while operating within the rich mission at The Citadel, wherein the entire institutional family will clearly become the beneficiary of Art’s vision, via this truly insightful appointment. These are indeed terribly challenging times for both American higher education and college athletics. To that end, Art Chase clearly possesses the leadership skills and acumen to chart the very best path forward, while executing on same, for The Citadel.”
“Art Chase is a home run hire. He understands The Citadel and will support the coaching staffs of all sports to continual success. He has worked side-by-side with some of the greatest coaches during his time at Duke, and I’m excited for this new era of The Citadel Athletics!”
“We are thrilled for Art and Kaye as they embark on this new chapter at The Citadel! Art’s passion for collegiate athletics, his dedication to the student-athlete experience, and his deep understanding of the industry make him the perfect leader for the Bulldogs. His impact at Duke over his 25 years has been immeasurable, and we have no doubt he will bring the same excellence and integrity to The Citadel. We wish Art and Kaye all the best in this well-deserved opportunity.”
“I enjoyed my time at The Citadel working side by side with Art and have been able to stay connected as we crossed paths in the ACC over the last decade. He’s always had the ability to connect, communicate and compete, while also caring for others. Those four C’s will help him achieve great things for The Citadel athletic department. As an alum and former coach at The Citadel, I’m very happy with this hire.”
“It’s hard to imagine Duke Athletics without Art Chase, given the breadth of his contribution here in Durham. That said, he will be an outstanding asset for The Citadel Athletics and will run that department with high standards and ideals. We will miss him but root him on from afar!”
“As the head football coach at Duke, Art was my first administrator. A straight shooter who was not afraid of hard work and was always working for a solution to any problem, or to maximize an advantage. He was willing to listen and try new ideas that would benefit the team and school. In addition to being a highly qualified administrator, Art became, and is, a great friend. The Citadel made a great choice for an athletic director.”
“I’ve know Art for over 30 years, and when he was here within our sports information department, you could see just how smart and positive he was. I look back at all the things people have done throughout my career, and Art ranks as one of the most impactful. His mentorship and leadership at Duke has led to multiple accolades for his staff, and you can see how Art has rubbed off on everyone he comes in contact with just based on their work ethic alone. He’s going to do more than just his job, he’s going to build up the morale a great deal because of who he is, we’re lucky to have him back at The Citadel.”
“Art is a great choice to lead The Citadel. He has experience in every part of NCAA athletics, and he understands the daily life of a cadet. We are excited for his vision to get The Citadel back to its winning traditions. He will bring great energy and life to the athletic department.”
“Art Chase did a terrific job at Duke for the past 25 years. The Citadel is gaining an outstanding leader who will always strive for excellence. His work ethic, strong moral compass, and unique familiarity with the institution’s culture will serve the department very well moving forward. The Citadel is lucky to have Art and Kaye join their family.”
“Congratulations to Art and Kaye for this well-deserved opportunity at The Citadel. For nearly 20 years, I’ve greatly respected Art’s professionalism and ability to foster relationships all across college athletics, and hold him in the highest regard. Wanda and I couldn’t be more excited as they embark on this next chapter together.”
“I have known Art Chase for many years and have always known him to be a man of integrity and honor. I am excited for this next step for him as he assumes the role of Athletic Director for The Citadel. There is no doubt that he will excel at this level and guide the Bulldogs through the changing landscape of college sports. I’ve personally had the pleasure of working with his wife, Kaye, for the last 14 years at the University of North Carolina, and they are a team that can’t be beat! We will miss Art and Kaye in NC but cannot wait to be their biggest supporters.”
“For 25 years, Art has been the ultimate representative of Duke Athletics and the excellence we strive for every day. He built meaningful relationships, served as a valuable leader in our department and a respected professional in the landscape of college athletics. We’re grateful for his many contributions to our program throughout the years, and we wish him much success in this next chapter.”
“Art is a tremendous person and leader who always keeps the best interests of the players at heart. He epitomized professionalism and creative thinking during his time at Duke. He will continue to do so in his new role at The Citadel. He is thorough, intelligent, quick-witted and a pleasure to work with. I can’t think of a better person to lead The Citadel Athletics during this crucial time in collegiate athletics.”
“The Citadel has chosen an outstanding, experienced leader in Art Chase. He has been a good friend throughout the years and I’ve learned a lot from him. He and Kaye are great people and I know they will be a wonderful fit for Bulldog Athletics.”
“When I heard that The Citadel named Art Chase as their new athletic director, I immediately thought: ‘Perfect.’ Art Chase is a proven person that any institution would want leading them. Passion, vision, intelligence, strength, and yes, fun. Congratulations to The Citadel on the perfect hire!”
“Since 2000, Art Chase has been an indispensable part of our staff here at Duke. He’s a natural leader whose primary guiding principle is always what’s best for the student-athletes. The impact Art had on countless players, coaches, administrators, staff members, media and fans alike is immeasurable. We’re losing an incredible colleague at Duke and selfishly, I will greatly miss my trusted friend, advisor, and confidante. We are so proud of and happy for both Art and Kaye, who richly deserve this opportunity. The Citadel just added one of the very best people in college athletics to lead its athletics department.”