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Thursday, June 5, 2003 SEARCH COMMITTEE NAMED FOR UGA ATHLETIC DIRECTOR Statement by President Michael F. Adams List of committee members Letter from President Adams to Athletic Director Vince Dooley ATHENS, Ga. – University of Georgia President Michael F. Adams today announced the formation of a search committee to identify and screen candidates for the position of athletic director, following a meeting with current Athletic Director Vince Dooley. During that meeting, Adams informed Dooley of his decision to abide by the agreement the two had signed in February, 2001, which extended Dooley’s contract to June 30, 2004. A new athletic director is expected to be named by the end of 2003. Jere Morehead, Faculty Athletic Representative and member of the Athletic Board, will chair the search committee. The committee will hold its first meeting June 17. STATEMENT BY PRESIDENT MICHAEL F. ADAMS Coach Dooley and I met this afternoon to discuss the request he made on March 26 to extend by four years his contract as Athletic Director. While I appreciate and respect Coach Dooley’s request, I indicated to him that I will honor the agreement that we reached in 2001. That agreement provided Coach Dooley a three-year contract as Athletic Director, ending on June 30, 2004, followed by an offer to serve for an additional year at the same annual pay as a Special Assistant for Athletic Development. I am extremely grateful for Coach Dooley’s contributions to the University of Georgia. In any endeavor, there comes a time when a transition to new leadership is appropriate. It is now time for new leadership in the UGA athletic department, to build on a great tradition and to meet future challenges in the dynamic, ever-changing field of intercollegiate athletics. The University of Georgia has benefitted greatly from Coach Dooley’s 40 years of service which began with his appointment as Head Football Coach in 1964. There should be an opportunity for him to continue to be a part of the UGA community following his time as Athletic Director. Accordingly, I told Coach Dooley that I am open to additional years of involvement by him, beyond the one year as Special Assistant for Athletic Development, if we mutually agree that such would be in the best interest of the University. To ensure a smooth transition and provide ample time for a search process to hire a new Athletic Director, Jere Morehead, Faculty Athletic Representative and a member of the Athletic Board, will chair a search committee charged to identify and screen candidates. The executive search firm of Baker-Parker will assist the search committee in its efforts. The search committee will conduct a thorough, nationwide search so that a new Athletic Director can be named by the end of this calendar year. This time frame will give the new Athletic Director the opportunity to work with Coach Dooley to ensure an orderly transition. The first meeting of the Search Committee will take place on Tuesday, June 17. Following this statement is a copy of my letter to Coach Dooley, and a list of the members of the Athletic Director Search Committee. (top) LIST OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS Professor Jere Morehead, Chair Athletic Board Member and Faculty Athletic Representative Director, UGA Honors Program Dr. Bill Barstow Athletic Board Member and Professor of Botany Mr. Jack Bauerle Head Coach, Men’s and Women’s Swim Teams Dr. Rodney Bennett UGA Dean of Students Mr. Bob Bishop Athletic Board Member, Vice Chair of GSEF, and Retired CEO, SunTrust Bank of N.E. Georgia Mr. Carlton Curtis President, UGA Alumni Association and VP, Coca-Cola North America Ms. Glada Horvat Associate Athletic Director for Student Services and Senior Woman Administrator Mr. Hank Huckaby Athletic Board Treasurer and Senior VP for Finance and Administration Dr. Tommy Lawhorne Athletic Board Member, Columbus Cardiothoracic & Vascular Surgical Associates Mr. Pat Pittard Athletic Board Member, Retired CEO of Heidrick & Struggles Mr. Jack Rooker Chair, UGA Foundation and CEO, Rooker and Associates Mr. Latham Sadler President, UGA Student Government Association Ms. Marlene Stephens President, Student Athlete Advisory Council Professor Anne Sweaney Athletic Board Member and Professor of Housing and Consumer Economics Advisory Members Mark Richt, Head Football Coach Dennis Felton, Head Men’s Basketball Coach (top) LETTER FROM PRESIDENT ADAMS TO ATHLETIC DIRECTOR VINCE DOOLEY June 5, 2003 Coach Vince Dooley Athletic Director Butts-Mehre Heritage Hall Campus Dear Vince: You will recall that you brought up the issue of another four year contract extension at a brief meeting with me on March 26. I told you at that time that I needed to think about the question you raised. I appreciate and respect your personal decision to approach me with this request. I have come to the conclusion, however, to honor the contract and agreement that we reached in 2001. The contract that we ultimately signed extended your time as Athletic Director through June 30, 2004. At the same time, I committed to continue your employment as a Special Assistant for Athletic Development at the same annual pay for one additional year. That contract and agreement represented an extension of three years as Athletic Director and one year as Special Assistant. When we had our final discussion concerning your contract extension over two years ago, I tried very hard to frame the arrangement so that you would end your tenure as Athletic Director on a positive note, and so that we could undertake a transition to new leadership that could take advantage of your input and continued presence. I took into account specifically your February 1, 2001, letter where you indicated that if you were allowed to retire as Athletic Director three years from June 30, 2001, you would feel that you had been treated fairly. I believe this was the right course then, and is the right course now as well. While we have faced some challenges together in the past, the current state of our athletic program is strong and the future is bright. Two excellent new coaches in our principal revenue sports have been hired, and the programs in the other sports areas are stable and possess great potential. While we have certain future challenges, including further attention to the NCAA probe into our men’s basketball program, our people have the skill and right mindset to meet those challenges. Your remaining year as Athletic Director and a year as a Special Assistant in fundraising can give you the opportunity to continue a personal involvement with the University. Please know also that I am open to additional years of involvement in that capacity if we mutually agree that such would be in the best interest of the University. On more than a few occasions in the past, I have shared with you my belief that with our positions in the public and media spotlight, it is often the case that our relationship is perceived as being tense. To the contrary, we have been in agreement far more times than not. Let me assure you that I value your friendship and welcome your continued involvement in the life of the University. Sincerely, Michael F. Adams President (top) |
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