SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. — Cal Poly has named Carter Henderson as the university’s new Director of Athletics, effective Oct. 13, President Jeffrey D. Armstrong announced today. 

Henderson, currently Deputy Athletics Director for External Relations at Stanford University, brings to his new role deep experience in intercollegiate athletics from around the country. He succeeds retiring Athletic Director Don Oberhelman and was appointed after a national search. 

“Cal Poly is known for producing student-athletes who excel on the field and in the classroom. As we searched for a new athletic director to carry our momentum forward, it became clear that Carter's background and experience would be a tremendous benefit to the university,” Armstrong said. “He has the vision and strategy and the deep experience with operations, communications and fundraising to help our student-athletes and our coaches reach even greater heights.” 

Since joining Stanford in 2021, Henderson has held several senior leadership roles, including executive associate athletics director for external relations and chief communications officer. He has directed teams of more than 50 staff, led all marketing and communications strategy for the department, and managed external units spanning branding, fan engagement, and digital media. 

Previously, he spent a decade at the University of Washington, where he advanced through leadership roles in external relations, ultimately serving as senior associate director of athletics for external relations. He began his athletics career at Jacksonville University, where he held director-level roles in marketing, ticketing, and creative services, building a foundation in external operations and brand management.
 

Henderson earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Florida in 2004.

Cal Poly Athletics comprises 20 NCAA teams, competing mainly in the Big West, playing football in the Big Sky Conference and wrestle in the PAC-12, and focusing on developing and supporting more than 500 student-athletes to be their best in competition and in the classroom. 

Cal Poly’s student-athletes excel in the classroom, with a 93 percent graduation rate and a cumulative GPA of 3.25 as of Spring 2025. And in competition, Cal Poly teams have captured nearly 50 conference championships, including earning a Big West Commissioner’s cup in 2023-24 after claiming an historic five conference titles on the year. 

Henderson is excited to carry this momentum forward and continue to foster an environment where Cal Poly student-athletes succeed on and off the field. 
“What struck me about Cal Poly, and it’s why I’m so excited to take on this new role, is how intertwined Learn by Doing is throughout the university — including within athletics,” Henderson said. “Learning by doing means practicing, trying, failing, getting back up, improving, succeeding. That continual improvement resonates with me, and I look forward to helping our Mustangs pursue even greater athletic and academic success.” 

Henderson, his wife Lindsey, and their two children are looking forward to making the Central Coast their new home. 

The search committee was chaired by Allison Baird-James, Cal Poly’s senior vice president for administration and finance, and was vice-chaired by John Ronca, chair of the Cal Poly Athletic Director’s Council. 

Ronca noted the depth of talent among those who sought the role. 

“The level of candidates we saw hoping to succeed Don Oberhelman is a testament to Don's leadership and to the strength of the team he built,” Ronca said. “From that group, Carter Henderson proved the clear choice, and I am excited to see where he leads Cal Poly’s athletics program into the future.”
Oberhelman announced his retirement from Cal Poly in June after leading the university’s Athletics Department since April 2011, leaving a legacy of academic and athletic success. 

“During Don’s tenure, no other university has won more championships in the Big West — and our student-athletes achieved that while maintaining extremely high levels of academic success,” Armstrong said. “Our university community offers Don our deepest thanks for his dedication to Cal Poly’s success for more than 14 years.”