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PHOTOS: A look at Chris Pezman's introductory press conference

University of Houston board chairman Tilman Fertitta (left) and university chancellor Renu Khator (right) pose for photos with new athletic director Chris Pezman following an introductory press conference at TDECU Stadium, Tuesday, Dec. 12, 2017, in Houston.

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PHOTOS: A look at Chris Pezman's introductory press conference

University of Houston board chairman Tilman Fertitta (left) and university chancellor Renu Khator (right) pose for photos with new athletic director

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Photo: Mark Mulligan, Houston Chronicle
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New University of Houston athletic director Chris Pezman listens to questions during an introductory press conference with board chairman Tilman Fertitta and university chancellor Renu Khator at TDECU Stadium, Tuesday, Dec. 12, 2017, in Houston. less
New University of Houston athletic director Chris Pezman listens to questions during an introductory press conference with board chairman Tilman Fertitta and university chancellor Renu Khator at TDECU Stadium, ... more
Photo: Mark Mulligan, Houston Chronicle
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New University of Houston athletic director Chris Pezman walks into the club level at TDECU Stadium for an introductory press conference, Tuesday, Dec. 12, 2017, in Houston.
New University of Houston athletic director Chris Pezman walks into the club level at TDECU Stadium for an introductory press conference, Tuesday, Dec. 12, 2017, in Houston.
Photo: Mark Mulligan, Houston Chronicle
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New University of Houston athletic director Chris Pezman takes questions during an introductory press conference at TDECU Stadium, Tuesday, Dec. 12, 2017, in Houston.
New University of Houston athletic director Chris Pezman takes questions during an introductory press conference at TDECU Stadium, Tuesday, Dec. 12, 2017, in Houston.
Photo: Mark Mulligan, Houston Chronicle
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New University of Houston athletic director Chris Pezman (right) acknowledges the crowd during an introductory press conference with board chairman Tilman Fertitta and university chancellor Renu Khator at TDECU Stadium, Tuesday, Dec. 12, 2017, in Houston. less
New University of Houston athletic director Chris Pezman (right) acknowledges the crowd during an introductory press conference with board chairman Tilman Fertitta and university chancellor Renu Khator at TDECU ... more
Photo: Mark Mulligan, Houston Chronicle
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Marisol Pezman is recognized by her husband, new University of Houston athletic director Chris Pezman, during an introductory press conference at TDECU Stadium, Tuesday, Dec. 12, 2017, in Houston.
Marisol Pezman is recognized by her husband, new University of Houston athletic director Chris Pezman, during an introductory press conference at TDECU Stadium, Tuesday, Dec. 12, 2017, in Houston.
Photo: Mark Mulligan, Houston Chronicle
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New University of Houston athletic director Chris Pezman (right) acknowledges the crowd during an introductory press conference with board chairman Tilman Fertitta and university chancellor Renu Khator at TDECU Stadium, Tuesday, Dec. 12, 2017, in Houston. less
New University of Houston athletic director Chris Pezman (right) acknowledges the crowd during an introductory press conference with board chairman Tilman Fertitta and university chancellor Renu Khator at TDECU ... more
Photo: Mark Mulligan, Houston Chronicle
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New University of Houston athletic director Chris Pezman reacts as he is introduced by university chancellor Renu Khator during a press conference at TDECU Stadium, Tuesday, Dec. 12, 2017, in Houston.
New University of Houston athletic director Chris Pezman reacts as he is introduced by university chancellor Renu Khator during a press conference at TDECU Stadium, Tuesday, Dec. 12, 2017, in Houston.
Photo: Mark Mulligan, Houston Chronicle
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New University of Houston athletic director Chris Pezman (right) laughs during an introductory press conference with board chairman Tilman Fertitta (left) and university chancellor Renu Khator (center) at TDECU Stadium, Tuesday, Dec. 12, 2017, in Houston. less
New University of Houston athletic director Chris Pezman (right) laughs during an introductory press conference with board chairman Tilman Fertitta (left) and university chancellor Renu Khator (center) at TDECU ... more
Photo: Mark Mulligan, Houston Chronicle
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New University of Houston athletic director Chris Pezman listens to questions during an introductory press conference with board chairman Tilman Fertitta and university chancellor Renu Khator at TDECU Stadium, Tuesday, Dec. 12, 2017, in Houston. less
New University of Houston athletic director Chris Pezman listens to questions during an introductory press conference with board chairman Tilman Fertitta and university chancellor Renu Khator at TDECU Stadium, ... more
Photo: Mark Mulligan, Houston Chronicle
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University of Houston board chairman Tilman Fertitta (left) and university chancellor Renu Khator (right) pose for photos with new athletic director Chris Pezman following an introductory press conference at TDECU Stadium, Tuesday, Dec. 12, 2017, in Houston. less
University of Houston board chairman Tilman Fertitta (left) and university chancellor Renu Khator (right) pose for photos with new athletic director Chris Pezman following an introductory press conference at ... more
Photo: Mark Mulligan, Houston Chronicle
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University of Houston board chairman Tilman Fertitta (left) and university chancellor Renu Khator (right) pose for photos with new athletic director Chris Pezman following an introductory press conference at TDECU Stadium, Tuesday, Dec. 12, 2017, in Houston. less
University of Houston board chairman Tilman Fertitta (left) and university chancellor Renu Khator (right) pose for photos with new athletic director Chris Pezman following an introductory press conference at ... more
Photo: Mark Mulligan, Houston Chronicle
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New University of Houston athletic director Chris Pezman (right) laughs during an introductory press conference with board chairman Tilman Fertitta (left) and university chancellor Renu Khator (center) at TDECU Stadium, Tuesday, Dec. 12, 2017, in Houston. less
New University of Houston athletic director Chris Pezman (right) laughs during an introductory press conference with board chairman Tilman Fertitta (left) and university chancellor Renu Khator (center) at TDECU ... more
Photo: Mark Mulligan, Houston Chronicle
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University of Houston board chairman Tilman Fertitta (left) and university chancellor Renu Khator (right) pose for photos with new athletic director Chris Pezman following an introductory press conference at TDECU Stadium, Tuesday, Dec. 12, 2017, in Houston. less
University of Houston board chairman Tilman Fertitta (left) and university chancellor Renu Khator (right) pose for photos with new athletic director Chris Pezman following an introductory press conference at ... more
Photo: Mark Mulligan, Houston Chronicle
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University of Houston board chairman Tilman Fertitta (left) and university chancellor Renu Khator (right) pose for photos with new athletic director Chris Pezman following an introductory press conference at TDECU Stadium, Tuesday, Dec. 12, 2017, in Houston. less
University of Houston board chairman Tilman Fertitta (left) and university chancellor Renu Khator (right) pose for photos with new athletic director Chris Pezman following an introductory press conference at ... more
Photo: Mark Mulligan, Houston Chronicle
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University of Houston board chairman Tilman Fertitta talks with former UH football players following a press conference introducing the university's new athletic director, Chris Pezman, Tuesday, Dec. 12, 2017, in Houston. less
University of Houston board chairman Tilman Fertitta talks with former UH football players following a press conference introducing the university's new athletic director, Chris Pezman, Tuesday, Dec. 12, 2017, ... more
Photo: Mark Mulligan, Houston Chronicle
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University of Houston board chairman Tilman Fertitta talks with former UH football players following a press conference introducing the university's new athletic director, Chris Pezman, Tuesday, Dec. 12, 2017, in Houston. less
University of Houston board chairman Tilman Fertitta talks with former UH football players following a press conference introducing the university's new athletic director, Chris Pezman, Tuesday, Dec. 12, 2017, ... more
Photo: Mark Mulligan, Houston Chronicle

Chris Pezman was introduced as the new vice president of intercollegiate athletics at the University of Houston on Tuesday, telling a crowd of supporters he's back for the long haul.

"I don't plan on being here for one year or four years," Pezman said. "This is my life. This is home."

Pezman received a standing ovation during the news conference, which was attended by several teammates from his time as a walk-on to team captain in the early 1990s.

Pezman becomes the 11th athletic director in school history and the first alumni to assume the school's top athletic position. He received both degrees from UH, was a three-year letterman on the football team and served as a graduate assistant and later in an administrative role.

Pezman, 47, spent the last four years as senior associate athletic director and chief operating officer at the University of California, Berkeley.

UH board of regents chairman Tilman Fertitta said he met with university president Renu Khator shortly after Hunter Yurachek stepped down Dec. 3 to discuss candidates.

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"We decided we were going to do this quick and make the right decision and move forward, " Fertitta said. "We got the right guy."