Syracuse has hired a search firm to help fill its open athletic director position, a job the school says it hopes to have filled by the start of the 2015-16 school year. Chancellor Kent Syverud also announced Monday the nine members of its in-house search committee. At least two finalists are expected to be presented to Syverud for his review.
Syracuse has retained the services of Glenn Sugiyama and Pat Richter, both of DHR International's Sports Practice Group. Sugiyama was on the board of directors for the Chicago Bulls, while Richter was a former Wisconsin AD.
The in-house search committee, per Syracuse.com's Nate Mink, includes faculty, students and members of the board of trustees:
Steve Ballentine, Chair of Search Committee, University Trustee
Richard Burton, Faculty Athletics Representative
Veronica Dyer, Strength and Conditioning Coach for Olympic Sports
James Kuhn, University Trustee and Vice Chair of the Board of Trustees
Robert Miron, Chair of the Board of Trustees' Athletics Committee
LaVonda Reed, Associate Provost for Faculty Affairs and Professor of Law
Sam Rodgers, former football player
Peter Sala, Interim Athletics Director and Managing Director, Carrier Dome
Barry Wells, Special Assistant to the Chancellor
Sala has been the Orange's interim AD since March 18, when Daryl Gross resigned from the post to take another position at the school. Gross, who was in his 10th year as Syracuse's AD, was appointed to VP and special assistant to the chancellor, and adjunct professor in the David B. Falk College of Sport and Human Dynamics.
“The Search Committee has already taken the first steps in conducting a comprehensive search for the University’s new Director of Athletics,” Ballentine, the chair of the committee, said in a release. “We look forward to seeking out the best possible candidates to lead University athletics and, most importantly, guide and support our student-athletes as they come to Syracuse University to strive for excellence in academics and success in their sport.”