UO Mourns Passing Of Jim Bartko
03/16/20 | General, @GoDucksMoseley
The longtime Oregon athletics administrator passed away unexpectedly on Monday.
The Oregon Athletics community is mourning the loss of former administrator Jim Bartko, who passed away on Monday.
In a career that spanned five different decades, Bartko brought tireless enthusiasm to fundraising efforts on behalf of the Ducks. He helped secure support for projects including the expansion of Autzen Stadium, the construction of Matthew Knight Arena and the Hatfield-Dowlin Complex.
Among Bartko's most prominent roles was serving as the athletic department's primary liaison with Nike.
"Jim Bartko was an all-star in the University of Oregon athletic department for 25 years," Nike co-founder and former chairman Phil Knight said. "In the process he became a great friend. His passing leaves me in shock and deep sorrow."
After starting his career in the Duck Athletic Fund in 1989, Bartko advanced into senior administrative roles for UO Athletics before a brief tenure at Cal, in Bartko's native San Francisco Bay Area. He returned to Eugene in 2008, before being hired as athletic director at Fresno State in 2014.
Most recently, Bartko was serving as senior advisor to the executive director of the UO Alumni Association. He was 54.
"The sad news of Jim Bartko's passing is shocking and upsetting," UO President Michael Schill said. "Jim was part of our UO family for more than three decades, and his big heart and warm smile will be greatly missed. On behalf of Ducks everywhere, I want to acknowledge the important contributions Jim made to this university and extend the deepest sympathy and condolences to Jim's friends and family."
Bartko became assistant athletic director for the Duck Athletic Fund in 1994, then transitioned to community and corporate relations in 1998. His most recent position with UO Athletics was from 2008-14, as senior associate athletic director.
"We are deeply saddened to hear of Jim's sudden passing," UO director of athletics Rob Mullens said. "Jim was a friend and valued colleague. His energy and spirit were uplifting, and his passion for Oregon Athletics and the people he worked with will forever be missed.
"His lifelong dedication to and positive impact on this University will certainly be remembered fondly. Our thoughts are with his family during this difficult time."
A 1987 graduate of Washington State, Bartko worked in marketing for two years with the Cougars before coming to Eugene. His first position at Oregon was as a regional director of the Duck Athletic Fund.
"He's one of the links from the days when we had nothing to now," said Rich Brooks, head football coach at Oregon when Bartko joined the UO staff. "He had an outgoing personality that connected with everybody, was very helpful to boosters, and did a great job with communication between everybody on the athletics side and on the university side."
As an assistant athletic director, Bartko played a key role in securing support for the expansion of Autzen Stadium for the 2002 season.
The relationship with Nike continued when Bartko became associate athletic director in 2003, responsible for major gifts. As associate athletic director, Bartko also served as sport administrator for the UO men's and women's golf program, and he oversaw the equipment room.
Bartko left for Cal in 2006 but wasn't gone long, returning to Oregon less than two years later. He was hired in 2008 as a senior associate athletic director, overseeing day-to-day operations in the athletic department along with ticket sales and fundraising. His sport responsibilities at that point included volleyball, track and field and cross country as well as golf.
"Jim was able to connect passionate, special people everywhere he went," said Pat Kilkenny, the UO athletic director when Bartko returned to Oregon. "Strong friendships seemed to follow, and we all owe him a great debt for helping make our lives happier. Rest in peace, Jim, you will be missed by all who were blessed to know you."
During that period, Bartko helped provide support for the construction of Matthew Knight Arena, the John E. Jaqua Academic Center for Student-Athletes and the Hatfield-Dowlin Complex. He supervised the arena project, with the facility opening in 2011.
"Ten years ago, Jim really helped our staff with the transition to Oregon and Pac-10," UO men's basketball coach Dana Altman said. "He was a good friend and will be greatly missed."
To those who knew Bartko well, his untimely passing was particularly saddening given the path his life had taken in recent years. After leaving Fresno State in 2017, Bartko was open about the fact he had endured abuse as a child.
Bartko recently completed a memoir, "Boy In The Mirror," co-authored by former Eugene newspaper columnist Bob Welch.
"It seemed as if he was in the midst of getting his life back in order and doing things he felt he needed to do," former UO football coach and athletic director Mike Bellotti said. "He was back in what he perceived to be his home, in Eugene, working for the University of Oregon. I think he clearly saw the light at the end of the tunnel. It's just not fair."
In a career that spanned five different decades, Bartko brought tireless enthusiasm to fundraising efforts on behalf of the Ducks. He helped secure support for projects including the expansion of Autzen Stadium, the construction of Matthew Knight Arena and the Hatfield-Dowlin Complex.
Among Bartko's most prominent roles was serving as the athletic department's primary liaison with Nike.
"Jim Bartko was an all-star in the University of Oregon athletic department for 25 years," Nike co-founder and former chairman Phil Knight said. "In the process he became a great friend. His passing leaves me in shock and deep sorrow."
After starting his career in the Duck Athletic Fund in 1989, Bartko advanced into senior administrative roles for UO Athletics before a brief tenure at Cal, in Bartko's native San Francisco Bay Area. He returned to Eugene in 2008, before being hired as athletic director at Fresno State in 2014.
Most recently, Bartko was serving as senior advisor to the executive director of the UO Alumni Association. He was 54.
"The sad news of Jim Bartko's passing is shocking and upsetting," UO President Michael Schill said. "Jim was part of our UO family for more than three decades, and his big heart and warm smile will be greatly missed. On behalf of Ducks everywhere, I want to acknowledge the important contributions Jim made to this university and extend the deepest sympathy and condolences to Jim's friends and family."
Bartko became assistant athletic director for the Duck Athletic Fund in 1994, then transitioned to community and corporate relations in 1998. His most recent position with UO Athletics was from 2008-14, as senior associate athletic director.
"We are deeply saddened to hear of Jim's sudden passing," UO director of athletics Rob Mullens said. "Jim was a friend and valued colleague. His energy and spirit were uplifting, and his passion for Oregon Athletics and the people he worked with will forever be missed.
"His lifelong dedication to and positive impact on this University will certainly be remembered fondly. Our thoughts are with his family during this difficult time."
A 1987 graduate of Washington State, Bartko worked in marketing for two years with the Cougars before coming to Eugene. His first position at Oregon was as a regional director of the Duck Athletic Fund.
"He's one of the links from the days when we had nothing to now," said Rich Brooks, head football coach at Oregon when Bartko joined the UO staff. "He had an outgoing personality that connected with everybody, was very helpful to boosters, and did a great job with communication between everybody on the athletics side and on the university side."
As an assistant athletic director, Bartko played a key role in securing support for the expansion of Autzen Stadium for the 2002 season.
The relationship with Nike continued when Bartko became associate athletic director in 2003, responsible for major gifts. As associate athletic director, Bartko also served as sport administrator for the UO men's and women's golf program, and he oversaw the equipment room.
Bartko left for Cal in 2006 but wasn't gone long, returning to Oregon less than two years later. He was hired in 2008 as a senior associate athletic director, overseeing day-to-day operations in the athletic department along with ticket sales and fundraising. His sport responsibilities at that point included volleyball, track and field and cross country as well as golf.
"Jim was able to connect passionate, special people everywhere he went," said Pat Kilkenny, the UO athletic director when Bartko returned to Oregon. "Strong friendships seemed to follow, and we all owe him a great debt for helping make our lives happier. Rest in peace, Jim, you will be missed by all who were blessed to know you."
During that period, Bartko helped provide support for the construction of Matthew Knight Arena, the John E. Jaqua Academic Center for Student-Athletes and the Hatfield-Dowlin Complex. He supervised the arena project, with the facility opening in 2011.
"Ten years ago, Jim really helped our staff with the transition to Oregon and Pac-10," UO men's basketball coach Dana Altman said. "He was a good friend and will be greatly missed."
To those who knew Bartko well, his untimely passing was particularly saddening given the path his life had taken in recent years. After leaving Fresno State in 2017, Bartko was open about the fact he had endured abuse as a child.
Bartko recently completed a memoir, "Boy In The Mirror," co-authored by former Eugene newspaper columnist Bob Welch.
"It seemed as if he was in the midst of getting his life back in order and doing things he felt he needed to do," former UO football coach and athletic director Mike Bellotti said. "He was back in what he perceived to be his home, in Eugene, working for the University of Oregon. I think he clearly saw the light at the end of the tunnel. It's just not fair."
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