University President Susan Herbst announced today that the school will begin a national search for a permanent athletic director immediately.
The search will be completed, with a new athletic director named, within the next three months.
“This is one of the most important positions at the University, given our tremendously successful athletic programs and the challenges ahead in college sports,” said Herbst. “We seek an extraordinary leader who will shape the future of our program, emphasizing above all else – academic performance, transparency, and integrity. Our new athletic director will build upon the strength of our programs and will be welcomed into this highly ambitious Husky family. I expect our new leader to maintain the excellence we already have, but to also forge new paths, so that UConn can lead the nation in both winning and student-athlete academic success. We have such wonderful young men and women in our program, across so many highly competitive sports, and I expect our athletic director to be a role model to them and to our entire student body.”
Interim athletic director Paul Pendergast asked Herbst to take his name out of consideration for the permanent athletic director position and will co-chair the search committee. Pendergast will remain at the University, working with the UConn Foundation, and focusing on fundraising for the UConn Health Center and the Division of Athletics. Pendergast will also manage UConn’s outreach efforts and relations with the business community, alumni, partners, donors, and fans.
The Athletic Director Search Committee members are:
Paul Pendergast, Committee Co-Chair, Interim Athletic Director
Carol Polifroni, Committee Co-Chair, Professor of Nursing; Chair of the President’s Advisory Committee for Athletics
Andy Bessette ’75, Executive Vice President and CAO, The Travelers Companies; Former Men’s Track All-American and Olympian
Scott Brown, Professor of Educational Psychology, NCAA Faculty Athletics Representative
Andrea Dennis-LaVigne ’03, Former UConn Board of Trustees Member; Owner, Bloomfield (Conn.) Animal Hospital
Jim Penders ’94, ’98, Head Baseball Coach; Former Baseball Student-Athlete
Tom Ritter ’77 Law, Vice Chairman, UConn Board of Trustees; Partner, Brown Rudnick LLP
Rachel Rubin ’77, Chief of Staff, Office of the President
Management of the UConn athletics program will be the primary task of the new athletic director, along with all compliance and academic support responsibilities. Fundraising is also key to the position, and Pendergast has made significant progress that the new athletic director will build upon.
Pendergast recently successfully secured a $4.5 million gift from Peter J. and Pamela H. Werth of Woodbridge, Conn., toward the planned basketball practice facility – the largest single gift to Athletics in its history.
“Paul has done an outstanding job as interim athletic director, and we are very fortunate that he will remain here at UConn,” said Herbst. “He has provided strong leadership during this period of transition, and I cannot thank him enough.”
“As I told President Herbst, I’d like to devote all of my time to key areas where I can best serve this institution,” said Pendergast. “This is an amazing place, and I am excited about the work ahead.”
Pendergast will continue to serve as the interim athletic director until the permanent athletic director is in place.
Parker Executive Search Inc. of Atlanta will assist the University in this search, supporting the committee and the President in the selection process. Joanne Fazio of the Office of the President will support both the committee and Parker Executive Search.
