EIU Athletic Director Search Advisory Committee Named

October 17, 2007

A 15-person advisory committee has been appointed to conduct the search for Eastern Illinois University's new athletic director.

Mary Anne Hanner, dean of Eastern's College of Sciences, will chair the committee, which is comprised of the following:

• Jill Owen, kinesiology and sports studies, representing Academic Affairs;
• Brenda Major, Office of Admissions;
• Tim McCollum, EIU Alumni Association;
• Gary Reed, Facilities Planning and Management, representing Business Affairs;
• Steve Rich, Alumni Services, representing External Relations;
• Ceci Brinker, Office of Student Life, representing Student Affairs;
• Mary Wallace, Athletics;
• Bob Spoo, Athletics;
• Gary Canivez, psychology, representing Faculty Senate;
• Sandy Bingham-Porter, Staff Senate;
• Levi Bulgar, Student Government;
• Michael Smith, Panther Club;
• Bud Fischer, biological sciences, representing the Intercollegiate Advisory Board; and
• Rachel Galligan, the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee.

“This is a strong committee,” said EIU President Bill Perry. “I am very pleased that everyone we asked to serve accepted. I am looking forward to the recommendations and advice from the search advisory committee.”

A tentative timeline for the athletic director's search calls for the search advisory committee to convene this month and immediately begin the process of advertising the position nationally.  Campus interviews will likely occur in February or March, with the new athletic director scheduled to begin employment in July.

Ken Baker, who has served as director of Campus Recreation at Eastern since 2000, is currently serving as full-time interim athletic director.