Charles Harris, former ASU athletic director, dies at age 71

Charles Harris, Arizona State's athletic director from 1985-1995, died Dec. 7 in Greensboro, N.C. He was 71.

At ASU, Harris became the first African-American athletic director in what was then the Pac-10 Conference.

ASU's current athletic director Ray Anderson released a statement regarding Harris.

“Our sympathy and thoughts to the family and friends of Charles Harris, who did so many great things for Arizona State and the NCAA," Anderson said. "The impact he made decades ago remains a visible and strong part of our history that includes champion student-athletes and coaches. Rest In Peace to a wonderful Sun Devil."

He later was commissioner of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference, athletics director at Averett University and eventually executive vice president of the university, both firsts for an African American at that institution, according his obituary. Harris retired from Averett in 2021.

A celebration of life will be held Saturday in Greensboro, N.C. at 9 a.m. MST. The service will also be livestreamed.

In lieu of flowers the family requests contributions be made to: Averett University, 420 West Main St., Danville VA 24541, Averett Ascending Capital Campaign, designated for the Charles S. Harris Field House https://www.averett.edu/giving/harrisfieldhouse/.