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First athletic director applicant seesUAFcampusBy DOUG HILLStaff WriterThe first candidate for the vacant athletic direc tor position at the University of Alaska Fairbanks was on campus late last week, undergoing a two-day interview process.Kelly Higgins, a 40-year-old resident of Denver, Colo., was making his first trip to the Last Frontier and said he views the UAF’s A.D. position as an excellent career move and an excellent challengeCurrently the assistant commissioner of the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC), Higgins previously served as an associate athletic director at American University in Washington,D.C.'This is a great opportunity,” Higgins said There are many outstanding programs here, not only the hockey program, but also the rifle program and the ski programs.“An opportunity like this doesn’t come along very often.”Higgins hopes his experience in all phases of athletic administration helps him in his pursuit of the UAF position.As RMAC assistant commissioner, he is responsible for virtually everything in the league office. From working with officials to public relations to marketing to compliance, Higgins said he has his hands in just about every pie. He also said it’s been quite an eye-opening experience for him.“I spent five years at American and you’re able to learn a lot about how things work at one school,” he said. “But in the Rocky Mountain, you have to be aware of the concerns of nine different schools.“In your travels you meet a lot of A.D.’s, a lot of presidents, a lot of media relations people,” he said, “and you gain different perspectives from all those people. It’s really a learning experience.Athletics have always been at the forefront for HigginsHis father, a coach and athletic director at the high school level for the past 44 years, has made sure his son understood early in life the importance of athletics.He made sure I knew that sports were supposed to be fun, the former football and baseball player said. “And when you get right down to it. that’s what they are supposed to be. A lot of fun.”Higgins said his trip to Fairbanks was enjoyable and informative, save for the fire alarm that had him scurrying out of his Princess Hotel room just hours after arrival Thursday morning.“There were a bunch of people in pajamas look ing around groggy-eyed in the lobby wondering what we were doing,” he said of his unexpected 3 a.m. wake-up call.“It's been a great trip,” he added “I’ve met a number of great people and had the opportunity (Thursday) to talk to some people around the university.”Through those discussions, Higgins said he discovered an area that would be a priority if he got the job“I think the relationship between the university and the city needs to be enhanced further,” he said “I know they’ve made some great strides in the recent past, but it’s hard to believe it can’t be enhanced more.”At least two more candidates will interview for the position vacant for nearly a year following the departure of G. Lynn Lashbrook last summer.Dave Diles. an assistant athletic director for stu dent services and compliance at Auburn University, will interview this Wednesday and Thursday.Kip Harmon, current associate athletic director at UAF. will be interviewed late this weekDr John Zarling, athletic director search committee chairman, said he hopes to end the interview process with Harmon. But he added that if the 15-person committee feels none of the three candi dates are adequately qualified, more will be flown up for interviews.
Newspaper Details
Fairbanks Daily News Miner
Fairbanks, Alaska, US
Sun, May 08, 1994
Page 17
Full Page
Clipped by
Evan G.
USA 19 Jan 2022
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