Illinois State University is conducting a national search for the next director of Athletics. The University has retained the services of Witt/Kieffer, a national executive search firm, to assist with the search. Witt/Kieffer assisted the University in its search for a new provost last spring and has conducted searches for athletic directors at other universities, including a recent search at UCLA.
“I was pleased with the efforts of Witt/Kieffer in the provost search that resulted in a strong, diverse pool of candidates and the ultimate hiring of Dr. Aondover Tarhule,” said President Larry Dietz, who added that Provost Tarhule is already having a significant impact at the University. “I expect Witt/Kieffer to similarly produce a strong, diverse pool of qualified candidates for the director of Athletics position at Illinois State.”
A search committee has been appointed by President Dietz to identify three or four individuals from the pool to put forward to the President as final candidates. Dr. Brent Beggs, professor and director of the School of Kinesiology and Recreation and former chair of the Athletic Council, is serving as chair of the search committee. Members of the search committee represent faculty, staff, and students from across the campus.
Search Committee
Jana Albrecht, Associate Vice President for Enrollment Management
Brent Beggs, Director of the School of Kinesiology and Recreation (Chair)
Leanna Bordner, Deputy Director of Athletics /Senior Women’s Administrator
Sandy Cavi, Assistant Vice President for Budgeting and Planning
Andrea Coursey, Student Athlete Advisory Council
Melinda Fischer, Head Coach, Women’s Softball
Dr. Doug Hatch, Associate Professor and Chair of Athletics Council
Dr. Levester Johnson, Vice President for Student Affairs
Lindsay Vahl, Director of Alumni Engagement-Chicagoland
Pat Vickerman, Vice President for University Advancement
The search will take most of the fall semester, with the goal of having a new director of Athletics in place after the first of the year.
