ECU Athletics Director Search Committee Named
October 25, 2018 | General
GREENVILLE, N.C. (ECU News Service) – East Carolina University Chancellor Cecil P. Staton, with the support of the ECU Board of Trustees, has named a 13-member search committee to recommend candidates to be considered for appointment as the university's next director of athletics. Staton and Dave Hart, special advisor to the chancellor for athletics, will co-chair the committee.
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"We are very pleased with the progress special advisor Dave Hart has made in reviewing and advising us on areas of improvement needed to reach all of our goals in athletics. Because of those months of work, I believe the timing is now right to bring on board an AD who will lead Pirate athletics into its next era," said Staton. "I remain very appreciative of the expertise and assistance that Dave has brought to our athletics department, and I look forward to his continuing support as we work to put this program on a track for long-term success."
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Kieran Shanahan, chair of the ECU Board of Trustees, said the AD search is among the board's highest priorities and he looks forward to the start of the process that will bring a new athletic director to Pirate Nation. "This is an outstanding opportunity for an AD who wants to work with engaged, high-energy alumni who are eager to support a winning program," he said.
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The committee expects to hold its first meeting in November.
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Members of the search committee are as follows:Â
Cecil Staton (co-chair), chancellor of ECU
Dave Hart (co-chair), special advisor to the chancellor for athletics and former ECU athletics director
Mark Copeland, member of the ECU Board of Trustees and managing partner for Ernst & Young.
Vern Davenport, member of the ECU Board of Trustees, partner at NovaQuest Capital Management and former ECU student-athlete.
Tim Martin, president of the ECU Educational Foundation (Pirate Club)
Carl Rogers, past president of the ECU Educational Foundation
Cal Christian, professor of accounting in the College of Business and faculty athletic representative (FAR)
Cliff Godwin, ECU head baseball coach and former ECU student-athlete
Sara Thorndike, vice chancellor for administration and finance
Jeff Popke, chair of the faculty and professor of geography in the Thomas Harriot College of Arts and Sciences
J.J. McLamb, senior associate athletics director for internal operations
Rosie Thompson, former senior associate athletics director, senior woman administrator (SWA), and former ECU student-athlete
LaKesha Alston Forbes, associate provost for equity and diversity.
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"We are very pleased with the progress special advisor Dave Hart has made in reviewing and advising us on areas of improvement needed to reach all of our goals in athletics. Because of those months of work, I believe the timing is now right to bring on board an AD who will lead Pirate athletics into its next era," said Staton. "I remain very appreciative of the expertise and assistance that Dave has brought to our athletics department, and I look forward to his continuing support as we work to put this program on a track for long-term success."
Â
Kieran Shanahan, chair of the ECU Board of Trustees, said the AD search is among the board's highest priorities and he looks forward to the start of the process that will bring a new athletic director to Pirate Nation. "This is an outstanding opportunity for an AD who wants to work with engaged, high-energy alumni who are eager to support a winning program," he said.
Â
The committee expects to hold its first meeting in November.
Â
Members of the search committee are as follows:Â
Cecil Staton (co-chair), chancellor of ECU
Dave Hart (co-chair), special advisor to the chancellor for athletics and former ECU athletics director
Mark Copeland, member of the ECU Board of Trustees and managing partner for Ernst & Young.
Vern Davenport, member of the ECU Board of Trustees, partner at NovaQuest Capital Management and former ECU student-athlete.
Tim Martin, president of the ECU Educational Foundation (Pirate Club)
Carl Rogers, past president of the ECU Educational Foundation
Cal Christian, professor of accounting in the College of Business and faculty athletic representative (FAR)
Cliff Godwin, ECU head baseball coach and former ECU student-athlete
Sara Thorndike, vice chancellor for administration and finance
Jeff Popke, chair of the faculty and professor of geography in the Thomas Harriot College of Arts and Sciences
J.J. McLamb, senior associate athletics director for internal operations
Rosie Thompson, former senior associate athletics director, senior woman administrator (SWA), and former ECU student-athlete
LaKesha Alston Forbes, associate provost for equity and diversity.
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