Photo by: Clinton “Buddy” Brown

mfreter@mavs.coloradomesa.edu

Athletic teams at CMU have been receiving a lot of publicity lately, and now the Athletic Department is close to making headlines as well.

After the departure of former Athletic Director Butch Miller last fall, the department assembled a committee to conduct a search for Miller’s replacement. The committee consists of five members: baseball coach Chris Hanks, women’s soccer coach Erin Sharpe, Kinesiology professor Elizabeth Sharp, men’s lacrosse coach A.J. Stevens, and Chief Financial Officer Pat Doyle.

After hours of reviewing applications and conducting interviews, the committee narrowed the selection to seven candidates.

“The interest for the job was overwhelming,” Stevens said. “There have been some very impressive people who have interviewed for the position so far.”

The process began with 70 applicants from various backgrounds, including some with experience at the D1 level. The list was then trimmed to 17 candidates, who were interviewed by members of the committee over the phone. The members then each chose their seven favorite applicants and agreed upon who would make the revised list.

The remaining candidates will come to the campus to speak with the committee, faculty and President Tim Foster. Once each interviewee has completed this process, President Foster will make the final decision on who is the best fit for the Athletic Department.

The committee does not have set criteria for choosing a candidate. However, the group has similar ideas on what qualities the replacement should possess, with the primary attribute being integrity.

“We want someone who means what they say and says what they mean,” Stevens said. “We want them to have a strategic plan on how to take our athletic programs to the next level.”

While there is no date set on when the next Athletic Director will be announced, the decision is expected to be made during this semester. Whomever is given the position will have the option to take over for President Foster now as acting AD or wait until the summer to begin.