Levi Bulgar said he thinks the new athletic director should be someone who has the ability to communicate within the administration and positively represent the Eastern community as a whole.

“It’s important for the administration to communicate between their offices and the students,” Bulgar said. “We need a person with good moral character, experience and who is hard-working.”

Bulgar, student executive vice president, said he learned of the search committee through Student Senate. After he expressed interest in the matter, Nadler appointed him.

President Bill Perry and Dan Nadler, vice president for student affairs, appointed a committee of 15 faculty, staff, student and campus community members to conduct a search for the new athletic director.

Former Athletic Director Rich McDuffie was placed on 12 months paid administrative leave in August.

Ken Baker, director of Campus Recreation, has been serving as the interim athletic director since Aug. 21.

Bulgar said he has enjoyed working with Baker over the past year and knows he is an appropriate temporary replacement.

“I’m happy about it; student input is important,” Bulgar said.

He said the role of athletic director doesn’t only represent athletes, but also the entire campus.

He said the committee will receive informational packets from advisers and from there, they will set up meetings and begin to discuss prospects.

Jill Owen, chair of kinesiology and sports studies, said she expects the committee will be called together soon and it will give input as to what qualifications it is looking for in the new director.

Mary Anne Hanner, dean of the College of Sciences, said the committee has not yet set the first meeting in which Perry and Nadler will speak to them and give an idea as to what they’re looking for.

“In conjunction with Nadler, a position announcement will be given for expectations of successful candidates, then distributed to the appropriate advertising venues,” Hanner said. “The position announcement will have specific criteria yet to be developed.”

She said the director should not only have athletic background experience, but administration experience as well.

Members of AD Search Committee

Mary Anne Hanner – chair, Dean of College of

Sciences

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 – Student Life Office, 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

Rachel Galligan – Student-Athlete Advisory Committee