A 15-member search committee for California State University, Fresno’s next director of athletics was announced today by President John D. Welty.

Dr. Jeri Echeverria, provost and vice president of academic affairs, will chair the committee that now begins a national search for a new athletics director to replace Scott Johnson, who is retiring. Echeverria was elected by the committee when it met for the first time on Thursday.

Dr. Paul M. Oliaro, Fresno State’s vice president for student affairs and dean of students, is serving as interim AD until a permanent appointment is made.

Welty directed the committee to complete its search by mid-summer. Once the committee screens and interviews applicants, it will forward three to five finalists to the president for his final decision, expected by the end of the summer.

A formal job announcement will be posted by the university’s Human Resources Department on its Web site early next week as well as Web sites for the CSU System, the NCAA, the Chronicle of Higher Education, Higher Education Jobs, The Black Collegian and IM Diversity.

The announcement will indicate that the filing deadline for full consideration is April 11, although the position will remain open until filled.

The search process is governed by the university’s Academic Policy Manual, including criteria for the search committee’s composition. (Link available at www.FresnoStateNews.com).

Among its requirements is that information regarding applicants is treated with the strictest confidentiality, including deliberations being conducted in executive session and remaining confidential as provided by law.

The university has retained the services of Eastman and Beaudine, Inc., an executive search firm in Plano Texas, to handle the applications process and initial screening. Qualified candidates will be forwarded to the university search committee. The firm assisted in the last AD search.

In addition to Echeverria, the other committee members are: Dr. Jeannine Raymond, Dr. Carolyn Coon, Cynthia Teniente-Matson, Randy Welniak, Dr. Catherine Jackson, Dr. Alfredo Cuellar, Dr. Russ Mardon, Dennis DeLiddo, Angie Cates, Trisha Becker, Angie DiLiddo, Brian Panish, Ruth Gadebusch and Molly Fagundes. (See full list and affiliations attached).

ATHLETIC DIRECTOR SEARCH COMMITTEE

March 2005

California State University, Fresno

Dr. Jeri Echeverria, Search Committee Chair

Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs — Fresno State

Ms. Angie DiLiddo President, Bulldog Foundation

Dr. Jeannine Raymond

Director, Human Resources — Fresno State

Dr. Carolyn Coon

Executive Director of Student Life, Student Affairs — Fresno State

Mr. Brian Panish – Fresno State Alumni

Partner of Law Firm – Greene, Broillet, Panish & Wheeler, LLP — Santa Monica, CA

Ms. Cynthia Teniente-Matson

Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Administrative Services — Fresno State

Ms. Ruth Gadebusch

Former President of Fresno Unified School District Board of Education and Community Leader

Mr. Randy Welniak

Associate Athletics Director, Athletics Dept. — Fresno State

Dr. Catherine Jackson — Faculty

Chair/Professor, Department of Kinesiology — Fresno State

Dr. Alfredo Cuellar — Faculty

Associate Professor, Department of Educational Research & Administration — Fresno State

Dr. Russ Mardon — Faculty

Chair /Professor, Department of Political Science — Fresno State

Mr. Dennis DeLiddo

Head Coach, Men’s Wrestling/Athletics — Fresno State

Ms. Angie Cates

Head Coach, Women’s Golf/Athletics — Fresno State

Ms. Trisha Becker

Support Assistant/Payroll Officer, Business Office/Athletics — Fresno State

Ms. Molly Fagundes

President, Associated Students — Fresno State

NON VOTING MEMBERS

Dr. Brian Tsukimura* — Equal Opportunity Designee Associate Professor, Department of Biology — Fresno State Ms. Marlene Frye*– Administrative Support

Assistant, Office of the President — Fresno State