Wisconsin opens application process, spells out what it wants in next AD
· Yahoo Sports
MADISON – The University of Wisconsin moved a step closer to finding a new athletic director.
The university posted the position May 27. Candidates must have their applications submitted by June 10 in order to be assured of consideration to lead a department Wisconsin describes as one “defined by championship performance, academic excellence, and global influence.”
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The university is seeking a replacement for Chris McIntosh, who resigned April 13 after five years on the job to take a position in the Big Ten office. Marcus Sedberry is serving as interim athletic director.
The invitation for applications and nominations comes two weeks after the university announced a nine-person search committee and search firm to aid in the search.
Since then, the university reports the committee, which includes legendary Badger athletes like Michael Finley and Meghan Duggan as well as Indianapolis Colts general manager Chris Ballard, has begun meeting.
Also during the past two weeks, interim chancellor Eric Wilcots, UW professor Lauren Bishop, the search committee chair, and CSA Search and Consulting, the firm aiding the search, have met with various segments of the Wisconsin community about the job.
“Wisconsin Athletics has a long history of cultivating success in competition and in the classroom, and all the stakeholders we spoke to are looking forward to welcoming a visionary athletic director who will build on this tradition of excellence,” Wilcots said in a news release.
Wisconsin aims to have a new athletic director in place this summer. That person will be entrusted to lead a department with a $203 million budget, 23 sports and 600-plus athletes.
What is UW looking for in its next athletic director? Here are the nine qualifications and qualities it noted in the job application:
- Bachelor’s degree required, advanced degree preferred.
- Demonstrated commitment to academic and athletic excellence.
- Strong financial acumen and experience managing complex budgets, organizational priorities and revenue strategies.
- Demonstrated success in fundraising, donor engagement and external relationship development.
- Knowledge of NCAA rules, compliance expectations and Division I Power Four athletics operations.
- Proven leadership experience within collegiate athletics, a related higher education environment, professional sports, and/or other complex organizational environments involving athletic competition.
- Exceptional communication, relationship-building, and organizational leadership skills.
- Demonstrated ability to lead through change with integrity, vision, collaboration, and strategic innovation.
- Experience operating successfully as an AD or senior administrator within the modern Power Four athletics landscape is strongly preferred.
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: University of Wisconsin opens athletic director application process