Mountain Pacific Sports Federation

The Mountain Pacific Sports Federation (MPSF) has named Foti Mellis as its new executive director, effective June 1, 2021. Mellis is just the second executive director in the history of the conference, dating back to its inaugural academic year of 1992-93. He replaces Al Beaird, who is retiring on June 30 after 24 years at the helm.
 
Mellis will execute the day-to-day operations of the MPSF in accordance with the provisions of its constitution, bylaws, and other legislation of the Federation and the NCAA. He will conduct meetings, maintain regular season competition schedules, supervise officiating programs, gather and keep data, develop an annual operating budget, maintain financial records, act as the coaches’ liaison to the MPSF Administrative Committee, and otherwise administer and manage all functions of the Federation. The MPSF will sponsor nine intercollegiate sports, while servicing approximately 80 teams from 40 universities during its 30th year of competition in 2021-22. As of April 20, 2021, the conference has won 99 NCAA Championships across seven different sports.

“All the candidates involved in this search were extremely competitive and made our job as a committee very difficult,” said MPSF Administrative Chair and Air Force Academy Associate Athletic Director George Nelson. “We are excited to have Foti on board and
confident in his ability to lead the MPSF into the future. His experience, energy, and passion for success of the student-athlete will certainly pay dividends.”

Mellis brings over 30 years of experience in intercollegiate athletics to the MPSF. He served various leadership roles at the University of California from 2002-2019, most recently as Senior Associate Athletic Director for Intercollegiate Services. A member of the Director’s Cabinet, Mellis was responsible for the overall delivery of a world-class student-athlete experience and all activities which directly impacted Cal’s ability to serve its student-athletes. In addition, he had oversight of the Sport Operations and Championships unit, as well as Student-Athlete Development. During his tenure, Mellis supervised 23 of the 30 sports at Cal, most recently the men’s basketball, women’s soccer, and softball programs. Mellis was responsible for the supervision of Capital Projects and was a key member of the team who oversaw successful completion of California Memorial Stadium and the Simpson Center. Upon his initial arrival in Berkeley, he was instrumental in the restructuring of the Compliance Services Unit in 2002 and Student-Athlete Development in 2006.
 
“I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to Administrative Committee Chair, George Nelson and the entire search committee for being awarded the privilege to lead the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation,” Mellis said. “Throughout my career, I have had the honor of being mentored by exceptional leaders. I am proud to have worked with highly respected college athletics professionals. I would like to thank my mentors and esteemed colleagues from UC Davis, Northwestern, Tulsa, ASU and UC Berkeley (Cal) for all their years of leadership and support. My life’s work has been dedicated to empowering student-athletes and ensuring their holistic development. Positively contributing to the student-athlete experience and to the success of collegiate sports puts a smile on my face every day. I am humbled and excited to continue the work leading the MPSF."

In 2017, Mellis was one of 25 senior-level athletic administrators from across the country who was selected to participate in the NCAA Pathway Program, designed to provide aspiring athletic directors with the skills and knowledge of fulfilling his or her career goal.

Mellis spent 1998-2002 as Assistant Athletic Director for Compliance at Arizona State. He oversaw all areas of compliance with the Sun Devils’ 22 athletic teams. Among his additional responsibilities were coordinating a rules education program for athletic department staff and boosters, creating a compliance system manual, and organizing agent education for ASU student-athletes. Prior to his tenure in Tempe, Mellis spent two years at the University of Tulsa, where he held the title of Director of Compliance from 1996-98. While there, he implemented a student-athlete database, which improved the efficiency and accuracy of monitoring eligibility. He also designed a compliance newsletter and was the chair of the University Compliance Committee.
 
Mellis began his compliance career at Northwestern in 1994, spending one year as an intern and second year as a compliance assistant.

He received his bachelor’s degree in managerial economics in 1990 and his master’s in education in 1996, both from UC Davis. Mellis held several positions with the Aggies from 1989-92, including assistant men's basketball coach, academic advisor, and assistant to the athletic department administration.
 
Mellis relocated to San Luis Obispo in early 2020 to join his wife Tina, who is the Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs Health and Wellbeing at Cal Poly.