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INTERIM: Nanooks athletic directorHIGGINS: Leaves UAFContinued from Pag« C-3made a commitment to take the hockey program to the highest level,” Higgins said. “We knew the road to success in the OCHA was going to have some hurdles, but I’m confident that the program is moving in the right direction and that the steps we’ve taken to date will bear fruit in the very near future.”Reaction to Higgins’ departure from within the athletic department was pretty much along the lines of what most people might expect.“It’s a great move for him, said associate athletic director Karen Jones. “He’s kind of going home and I know he’s excited about the challenge his new job will present.”“Kelly has done a lot of great things at UAF and he will be a great fit for USD,” said Rick Goeb, UAF’s compliance and academic adviser. “He’s quite familiar with their program and I think that job will be a good fit for Kelly.”Associate athletic director Kip Harmon said it would be inappropriate for him to comment, since he figures to be one of the candidates for the interim position.Harmon was a finalist when Higgins was named athletic director in 1994.None of the UAF coaches seemed surprised by the move. “It wasn’t a tremendoussurprise,” said UAF rifle coachRandy Pitney. “It’s pretty much been public knowledge he’s been looking at all his options for some time now.“It’s sad to see someoneleave, but oftentimes change is good for everybody,” addedPitney, who led UAF to the NCAA rifle championship in 1994. “I would expect him to be successful where he goes. He’s done a lot for the program in the four years he’sbeen here.”“I think this is something we all expected, knowing thathe has looked Outside before,” said women’s basketball coach Jenny Benson.Continued from Page C-3“I’ve got a lot of hard work ahead of me,” she added “I’m trying to get as much input as I can. This is not going to be an easy choice.”Kirts said that she had not established a time-period for the interim athletic director. She also said that a decision on whether toconduct a national search for a new athletic director had not been made.“I’m going with an interim so that we can have somebody step right in and manage the department,” she said. “I don’t know how long that will be. I’ll be able to judge that better in a fewINNNkr*Higgins will leave his post atUAF at the end of June.In speaking with several members of the UAF athletic department, coaches and other Nanook athletic supporters, the names oficed as potential candidates for the interim position .Among them were: associate athletic directors Kip Harmon and Karen Jones; rifle coach Randy Pitney; men’s basketball coach A1 Soakitis; women’s basketball coach Jenny Benson; and former men’s basketball coachGeorge Roderick.Harmon gave a one word answer when asked if he was interested in the position, “Yes.” He said he didn’t feel it was appropriate for him to discuss the situation any further since he is likely to be considered a candidate. Harmon was one of a group of three finalists from which Higgins emerged as athletic directorin 1994.Jones said she was only interested in the position on a shortterm basis.“On an interim basis, if I were asked, I would accept it,” Jones said. “I’m not interested in a permanent position.”Pitney, who led UAF to its only team national championshipBASEBALLContinued from Page C-3wanted to see how he’d do,” said Jasperson. “And it turned out really well under the circumstances. We saves some of our arms for North Pole.”Brandon Nelson finished off the Wolfpack with three innings of work, allowing two runs on one hit and two walks while striking out four.Croteau picked up confidence early as he scored on a Seledouble in the Iod of the first fol-when the Nanooks won the NCAA rifle crown in 1994, did express some interest.“I think asking about the fulltime position is putting the cart way before the horse,” Pitney said. “I have been contacted by different people in the community who have asked if I would do it and I haven’t said no.“The most important thing in all of this is what’s best for the university,” he added. “It’s very important that whoever the interim director is has a good foundation built for the permanent director so that person can get in here and hit the ground running. I’m sure there are several qualified candidates as interim director.”Roderick said he was flattered that several people had talked to him and said they were going to forward his name to Kirts for consideration.“I would certainly be interested,” Roderick said. “If I were approached, I would give it strong consideration.”Earlier this week Sokaitis said he might be interested in an interim spot, but then he decided he really would like to concentrate on coaching the Nanooks.“I’ve had people call me andsaid they were going to put in a good word, but I’ve got a big job ahead of me in basketball and all my efforts are there right now,” Sokaitis said before leaving on a recruiting trip to Seattle. “I can think of a lot of people who would be better for the job.”Benson has a degree in athletic administration, but said she felt much more comfortable on the sidelines.“I have a diploma on my wall that says I have a master’s in athletic administration, but I have no desire to pursue that at this time,” Benson said. “I think I belong on the court or the field at this stage of my life.”Ski coach Paul Beberg said he had no interest in becoming interim director, but he wasn’t hesitant to offer his observations.“I know there are a number of people interested,” Beberg said. “One is Randy Pitney and I wouldn’t mind seeing him get it.” y-lt;r^i^*ANg- / jlDaily Mews - Miner*1 iCheck us out on the web! jPowered hy Polar Net-
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Fairbanks Daily News Miner
Fairbanks, Alaska, US
Fri, May 15, 1998
Page 19
Full Page
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USA 19 Jan 2022
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