UC Riverside marked the start of a new era of Highlander athletics, welcoming new leader Greg Paules at a news conference Monday, March 23.

In his first official day as director of intercollegiate athletics, Paules described his excitement and outlined his vision for the program.

“What drew me here is simple: It’s the potential,” Paules said. “I see the potential of Highlander athletics and the role it can play in strengthening this community. As UC Riverside continues to row, athletics will serve as a unifying force, a place where pride, connection, and shared experiences come to life.”

“We’re entering a new era of Highlander athletics, and I’m honored to lead it,” he said.

Paules, who most recently served as senior associate athletics director and athletics’ chief operating officer at Cal State Fullerton, was announced as UCR’s director of intercollegiate athletics on March 2.

He replaces Wes Malette who left UCR last year to become a deputy athletics director at the University of South Carolina.

Chancellor S. Jack Hu said the selection of Paules, his first cabinet appointment since he began leading the campus, reflects both where UCR is and where it’s headed.

He noted that the athletics program has had impressive momentum in recent years with conference championships, postseason appearances, and student athletes on the national stage.

“As we build on this momentum, our goal is clear,” Hu said. “We want to make sure that UCR athletics has even greater success and serves as a source of pride for the Highlander community, our students, our campus, our alumni, and the entire Inland Empire.”

Brian Haynes, vice chancellor for Student Affairs, led the search committee that selected Paules. He described Paules’ experience as perfectly aligning with UCR’s goals. But what resonated with him most, he said, is how much Paules cares about the personal development of every student, coach, and staff member.

“It tells me that he sees athletics as a platform for developing young people, building character, creating opportunity, and preparing students for life beyond competition,” Haynes said.

Paules was joined by his wife, two daughters, parents, and parents-in-law at the news conference at the Student Success Center, which was attended by campus leaders, coaches, athletes, and community supporters.

He said the campus already felt like home, recalling how he visited UCR as a high school student.

Paules said he looks forward to building a program that competes for championships, develops leaders, and makes the university proud. Just as important, he added, is that sports should be fun.

That lightheartedness was reflected in his playful answers to reporters’ questions about UCR’s cross-town rivalry with Cal Baptist University, which is joining UCR in the Big West Conference this fall.

Paules noted that his counterpart at Cal Baptist, Micah Parker, was among the first to welcome him. He gave kudos to their basketball team’s season and said he looked forward to the competition, describing UCR as the “university of the people.”

“I don't know if everybody knows where Cal Baptist is, but we know where UC Riverside is,” he said. “I told our coaches, I've got some confidence about me and I love to win, so we're going to find ways to beat them.”