UCM Seeks to Hire New Athletics VP, Search Committee Named

The University of Central Missouri Jennies basketball team, shown in this file photo, is one of nine women's sports and eight  men's sports in the MIAA that is part of Intercolelgiate Athletics, an area in which the university is conducting a national search for a new vice president.

WARRENSBURG, MO – University of Central Missouri President Roger Best today announced the appointment of a search committee to begin a nationwide recruitment effort for a new Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics.

The university is seeking an individual to fill the post that was held previously by longtime athletics leader Jerry Hughes. In late January, Hughes passed away after a short illness. He had dedicated more than 40 years to laying the foundation for successful athletics programs at UCM.

To help facilitate finding an experienced professional to lead Intercollegiate Athletics, Best named UCM Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Phil
Bridgmon to chair the search committee. The group will work in cooperation with the Office of Human Resources to recruit the most qualified candidates for this high-profile position.

”We have a history of tremendous success in intercollegiate athletics, and it is critical that we continue and expand upon this success into the future,” Best said.  He added, “We are in a transformative time in intercollegiate athletics. This search process will provide ample opportunity for wide-ranging expressions of interest and will allow everyone, including students, faculty, staff, alumni and supporters, to be apprised of the strengths of the person I ultimately select to serve in this important role.”

The Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics reports directly to the university president and is a contributing member of the President’s Council. The vice president oversees an area that sponsors eight men’s and nine women’s sports in the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association (MIAA) and that has enjoyed championship success within the NCAA Division II.

This athletics leader is also engaged in the collaborative development of a vision that fosters excellence in compliance, department management, community engagement, and institutional development. They direct all aspects of UCM’s Intercollegiate Athletics program, including operations of the Multipurpose Building, South Recreation Facility, Pertle Springs and Mules National Golf Course, Audrey J. Walton Football Stadium, and Crane Baseball Stadium.
Bridgmon commented on the search process, noting, “We have a committed group of alumni, students, and staff assisting in the search. All of us have a deep appreciation for this moment and the importance of serving as the screening committee to assist in finding the right person to lead Athletics.”

He added that the preliminary review of candidates will be in early April with the goal of hosting finalists on campus the latter half of month before the spring semester ends.

“The format of the campus visits has not been finalized but we do anticipate opportunities for our campus and community to be involved,” Bridgmon said.
Also serving on the search committee are: Lindsay Chapman, General Counsel, Committee Vice Chair; Lewis Theobald, Head Coach, UCM Women's Soccer; Sydney Lierz, Student Athlete, UCM Women's Volleyball; Marshall Abney, Pres and CEO, Central Bank, UCM alumnus; Homer Kay, President, UCM Alumni-Foundation Board of Directors, UCM alumnus.

Individuals who want to know more about the Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics position and how to apply should visit the website, jobs.ucmo.edu.