The search for Duke’s next athletic director is “well underway” and the committee plans on making its recommendations to President Richard Brodhead in June, vice-chair Richard Riddell told The Chronicle Thursday.
Riddell, vice president and University secretary, said the committee is moving in a “very expeditious way,” and formed its search criteria early in the process. They include someone who:
- Understands the relationship between academics and athletics at Duke
- Knows the importance of the student-athlete and cares for the welfare of student-athletes
- Displays strong leadership but can also manage a complex organization in a competitive environment
- Appreciates recreational athletics, club sports and intramural programs, stressed in the new strategic plan
- Can hire “great coaches”
- Possesses strong communication skills
“You’d certainly want someone who appreciates the values of Duke, this blend of academics and athletics,” Riddell said. “Certainly people that know Duke will have had the chance to experience that first-hand. People from outside could also experience it from other institutions. Duke is pretty special, but there are a few institutions with some similarities…. It’s possible with someone at other institutions, while maybe not working at Duke, would readily understand what we’re talking about. The charge with the committee was to go out and find the best athletic director we can, whether it’s internal or external.”
The committee with a diversity of backgrounds does not have a predetermined number of candidates it will recommend to Brodhead, who will meet with the nominees and then make a decision.
Riddell confirmed that Bill Carr and Associates, a consulting firm that helps with searches like these, has assisted the committee in identifying and doing research on a pool of candidates.
The committee is chaired by Roy Bostock, the chairman of the board of Yahoo! Inc. Interim Director of Athletics Chris Kennedy took over for Joe Alleva, who became athletic director at LSU in April.
–by Ben Cohen
The Chronicle's Sports Blog 