The departure of former Athletic Director Dave Roach in July and the subsequent search for his replacement have spurred the Department of Athletics to reexamine its role in the overall image of the University.
The search committee for the new athletic director, which first convened in October, has spent the better part of the past three months compiling and organizing the desired criteria for the candidates.
Luiz Valente, who chairs the search committee and is an associate professor in the Department of Portuguese and Brazilian Studies, guaranteed the naming of a new A.D. by July 1.
"We aren't looking for just a manager. We are looking for someone who has a vision for the athletic division," Valente said. "The vision has to fit the parameters of the Ivy League and of Brown. It has to find its way into the plan for academic enrichment. We feel the role for athletics is there, hidden, and the next athletic director has to be able formulate a vision that fits the plan."
Valente said the committee itself is not sure what the role should be. They are looking for a candidate who will come with direction and innovative ideas.
"What is lacking is a clear vision. What the vision is, we are waiting for the next person to tell us," Valente said. The vision will be important as the University moves out of the quiet phase of its capital campaign and as planning begins for a new fitness facility.
David Greene, vice president for campus life and student services, said he has many goals in mind for the new athletic director, including retaining high-profile coaches.
"We want someone who has a real vision for athletics, cares about providing great experience of students overall, (and) cares about competitive teams, but also cares about intramurals and recreational," Greene said. "(We want someone who) helps athletics fit within the mission of the university, supports coaches and helps them excel and formulates where Brown athletics can go."
A new athletic director should also bring better communication within the department as well as between the department and the rest of the campus, integrating athletics more into the Brown experience.
"We need someone who can bridge the gap between the athletic department and campus," Valente said.
Working with the Atlanta-based search firm Baker-Parker and Associates, the committee received around 200 applications. While Baker-Parker helps with background work like generating applications and checking references, it is the committee that ultimately holds power over the search. Having narrowed the field to 15, the committee is currently interviewing candidates. Valente would not reveal the names of people under consideration.
"We are also looking at some non-traditional people. People (who) are neither athletic directors nor assistant athletic directors, but who have been involved in college athletics in one way or another," Valente said.
The committee hopes to wrap up the preliminary interviews at the end of next week, then narrow the pool to three or four candidates by late February or early March, Valente said. Those candidates will then visit Brown for an intense two-day whirlwind of meetings with students, teachers and administrators.
