New ASU athletic director Graham Rossini has a resume like no other.
Rossini rose from the Tempe dorms as a two-time Sun Devil alumnus to the athletic director's office overlooking Mountain America Stadium in just over two decades.
The Sun Devil was named ASU's new AD on May 23 six-plus months after former AD Ray Anderson stepped down. Rossini took the role, with a resume containing over 20 years of sports business experience, ready to lead his alma mater.
"I've spent my career growing into a sports business executive," Rossini said. "So I want to be able to use my professional training, my ASU education and my love for the Sun Devils in what I do next."
READ MORE: ASU hires Graham Rossini as new athletic director
Rossini doesn't like to talk about himself but has been forced to in numerous interviews since he was appointed athletic director. Those interviews allowed Rossini to speak on his Sun Devil connections.
Rossini grew up on the Gulf Coast after moving from New Jersey when he was four. He regards the South as the land of college sports with hardly any professional teams. However, he never felt attached to Auburn or Alabama as a transplant.
Instead, Rossini's love for baseball drew his attention to ASU legends like former quarterback Jake Plummer and outfielder Mike Kelly. His love for sports drew him to the W.P. Carey School of Business and Sun Devil baseball's dugout.
"Everything good in my adult life happened the moment I came to ASU," Rossini said. "I just have a high sense of appreciation for my own sentimental journey and to be at a point in my career where I'm able to advance with professional responsibility that will hopefully benefit something that I came from."
Rossini's resume began to take shape as ASU's Director of Baseball Operations. He was a part of two College World Series teams and a pair of Pac 10 titles. Arizona Diamondbacks CEO Derrick Hall met Rossini when Hall was working with the Los Angeles Dodgers and was impressed by the young Rossini.
"I made it a bit of a mission of mine to try and get him over to the Diamondbacks once I came here," Hall said. "I created a job for him and then it just kept building because he kept proving that he could handle anything we threw his way."
Rossini always took the time to help others and advance the Diamondbacks' cause. He can remember looking down from his office in Chase Field one day and seeing Rossini picking up trash on the concourse without knowing anyone was watching.
Rossini was the team's Vice President of Special Projects & Fan Experiences for nine years. He led the development of the Salt River Fields at Talking Stick spring training stadium and academy in the Dominican Republic. Hall believes those experiences can translate to the college world.
"The landscape has changed immensely," Hall said. "Graham is somebody who can pivot quickly, and he's a quick study. In the conversations I've had with him since he returned to ASU, it was clear to me that he has a good grasp and understanding of NIL."
It's not lost on Rossini that he has the opportunity to serve his alma mater. His recent resume additions include time as ASU's Chief Business Officer and Senior Associate Athletic Director after choosing the University over the MLB.
Fellow former ASU associate AD Don Bocchi has known Rossini since he was still going to college. Bocchi saw ADs come and go over his 30-plus-year career at ASU and believes something's different with Rossini.
"While he's working for the Diamondbacks, he was in close proximity to Arizona State, so he still had a little bit of finger on the pulse," Bocchi said. "He's a caring alumnus and cares about his school."
Bocchi thinks a former Sun Devil is the best fit to make ASU more competitive in the Big 12. ASU is in a unique spot for a Power 4 school with its location in a major metropolitan area and a massive alumni base, both of which boost the University's potential in NIL and recruiting.
READ MORE: Kenny Dillingham said ASU is 'turning a corner' on NIL. Here's why.
Time will tell if Rossini's hiring will pay off but Hall and Bocchi believe their friend and former colleague will change ASU for the better.
"I just think he's a really good fit, and he's got great knowledge of sports," Hall said. "I think he's going to care about each student-athlete at ASU and make sure that we get back on the map to greatness."
Edited by Alysa Horton, Abigail Beck and Madeline Schmitke.
Reach the reporter at jcbarron@asu.edu and follow @jackcbarron on X.
Like The State Press on Facebook and follow @statepress on X.
Jack is a senior studying sports journalism. This is his fourth semester with The State Press. He has also worked at Radio Sucesos and XPR Sport Experience in Argentina.
