OSU moves forward in search for VP for athletics

Friday, July 29, 2005

Oklahoma State University announced plans for moving forward with its national search for a new director of athletics at Friday’s Board of Regents meeting. The search will begin on Aug. 1 and will be completed as soon as possible.

In an important step, the OSU board approved a change in the athletic director title that better reflects the executive responsibilities of the position and the seamless interaction expected with the executive leadership of the university. The new title is vice president for athletic programs and director of intercollegiate athletics.

To help conduct the search, the university announced a 15-member search advisory committee of OSU faculty, administrators, students and supporters, which will be chaired by John Clerico of Tulsa. The consulting firm of Eastman & Beaudine Inc. has been retained to assist with the search.

“We are accelerating the process to conduct a national search and are very pleased with the level of interest we have received,” said OSU System CEO and President David Schmidly. “We are moving forward and we are excited about the future of OSU athletics."

Search Advisory Committee

Chariman: John Clerico, businessman
Bobby Stillwell, businessman
Ross McKnight, businessman
Kay Norris, OSU Heritage Hall volunteer
Joe Hall, OSU A&M regent
Jay Helm, OSU A&M regent
Al Goodbary, OSU System chief of staff
John Fernandes, president, OSU Center for Health Sciences
Cornell Thomas, OSU VP for Institutional Diversity
Gerald Lage, OSU Faculty Athletic Representative
Marilyn Middlebrook, OSU associate athletic director of academic services
John Smith, OSU wrestling coach
Ashland Watson, OSU student athlete
Gary Clark, OSU Foundation
Don Murray, OSU Faculty Council