Podcast: Georgia State President Dr. Mark Becker discusses qualities he would like to see in Georgia State’s next athletic director
Update (6/12/14): Georgia State University hired Parker Executive Search to lead the search for the next athletic director, according to the AJC. The University will pay $70,000 for the firm. A new director is expected to be hired by August.
The search for Georgia State University’s next athletic director is expected to begin in roughly a week as the University is closing in on signing a contract with a searching firm, University President Dr. Mark Becker told The Signal Friday.
Becker is seeking to replace current Athletic Director Cheryl Levick who is stepping down at the end of the month to become a special assistant to Becker because of non-threatning health issues.
Becker said he could not comment on if the interim athletic director would be someone from within the athletics department. An interim will be announced by July 1, but Becker said he hopes it will be before then.
Speculation has brought up names such as former Georgia Athletic Director Damon Evans and Troy University’s current athletic director John Hartwell. However, Becker said it is too soon for any speculation, and the search firm will present several candidates to the university.
“All the stuff you see on the blogs and newspapers about this name or that name, I don’t even pay attention,” Becker said. “We think we’re going to have a large pool, and it’s way too early to be speculating about any specific individual.”
The next athletic director will inherit several ongoing projects such as the Turner Field proposal, the Master Plan and building the foundation of the upcoming swimming and diving team.
Because of that, Becker said fundraising and facilities development are two crucial qualities he is searching for in the next athletic director.
“We’re going to have to raise some money,” Becker said. “We definatlely have no intention of raising student fees for this. So the financial part of it is a big complicated part.”
In addition, the next athletic director ideally would have experience with major football and basketball programs and can support the growing competitiveness of the programs, according to Becker.
The next athletic director is expected to be hired by August.
