Portland State University has named Christopher Carey as the new Faculty Athletics Representative (FAR) for the Vikings program. Carey, an Associate Professor in the Department of Criminology and Criminal Justice at PSU, will serve as a liaison between the institution and the athletics department.
 
Each NCAA institution has an FAR as a representative in conference and NCAA affairs. The role of the FAR is to ensure that the academic institution establishes and maintains the appropriate balance between academics and intercollegiate athletics.   
 
"Portland State appreciates Professor Carey's commitment to this vital role within the university and in conjunction with our Athletics Program," said PSU President Stephen Percy.
 
"We are excited that Chris Carey has joined us as a resource and an ally for the Viking Athletics Program. He has great institutional knowledge as well as a desire to assist in the successes of our student-athletes," said Director of Athletics John Johnson.
 
"I'm really looking forward to working with the Portland State Athletic Department, including administrators, coaches, and especially our student-athletes," Carey said. 'I have spent most of my life outside of academia on a ball field, and I continue to be active coaching and working with young athletes around the Portland area. I see this as a natural progression and I hope to help provide opportunities for success to Portland State Athletics and the University." 
 
Also returning to the Portland State Athletics program is Matt Billings in the role of Deputy Athletics Director. Billings worked for PSU Athletics from 2011-19 as Associate Athletics Director and Deputy Athletics Director. He returned during the fall of 2022 as interim Deputy AD under new Athletics Director John Johnson. He was recently hired to the full-time role.
 
"Matt has been a valuable asset to the Viking Athletics program over the past decade," said Johnson. "We are glad to have him return to the Viking Family. He is someone who has a great knowledge of the program, the university, Big Sky Conference and the NCAA.  I have known him since working with him many years back within the Big Sky Conference."
 
Billings will manage and oversee the day-to-day internal operations of the department.