Comhar Partners has named former Athletic Director and Chicago Bear, Christopher Zorich, as Managing Director of its newly launched Sports Management, Higher Education, and Non-Profit Practice.
Chris has over 30 years of experience along with in-depth knowledge of the collegiate and professional athletic industry. His expertise in sports administration/management has prepared him for his career in support of Collegiate and Professional Sports.
Before joining Comhar Partners to lead its Sports Management, Higher Education and Non-Profit Practice, Chris was the Director of Intercollegiate Athletics at Chicago State University where he oversaw the Division I Athletic Program. Chris is also a prominent Motivational and Public Speaker and has been community minded throughout his career having previously founded and operated a non-for-profit.
Chris will bring his knowledge of leadership, team, and personal development principles that were honed from his experiences in the National Football League (NFL) with the Chicago Bears, and as a college athlete playing for the 1988 National Champion – University of Notre Dame Football Team to Comhar Partners. The principles he applies are used by some of the most recognized companies and universities in the world. Chris will also help lead the firm’s Diversity & Inclusion efforts leveraging his firsthand knowledge of race and gender equality, Title IX investigations and implementations.
Chris has been involved as a board member at Lewis University, and the Illinois College of Optometry along with the Joffrey Ballet, The Chicago Public Library and the Knight Commission on Intercollegiate Athletics. Chris holds a Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Notre Dame and a Juris Doctorate from Notre Dame Law School.
“Any Chicago area professional sports fan or Notre Dame alum will recognize Chris from his litany of accomplishments on and off the gridiron,” said Bernard Layton, Co-Founder and Managing Director at Comhar Partners. “What attracted us to Chris was his passion for collegiate and professional sports management, his uncompromising work ethic, and his commitment to ethics, equality, and integrity,” added Comhar Partners Co-Founder and Managing Director J. James O’Malley.
“I’m excited to join the Comhar Partners team and look forward to enhancing their presence in the Sports Management, Higher Education, and Non-Profit landscape of executive search,” said Chris Zorich. “My personal and professional experiences in these practice areas combined with Comhar Partners’ wealth of experience in the retained search arena will provide the proper foundation to solve the talent management needs of our clients.”
To reach Chris and learn more about his prior experience and involvement with Comhar Partners, click here.
