By Mary Margaret Colliver

"This advisory group is an extremely strong collection of individuals who represent our community, athletics and our university. They understand the needs and demands of this position and I appreciate them giving of their time to assist the university in this process."

-- Lee T. Todd Jr.,
president,
University of Kentucky

April 30, 2002 (Lexington, Ky.) -- University of Kentucky President Lee T. Todd Jr. announced today that he has asked a small group of community leaders, former athletes and University faculty to assist in the process of hiring an athletics director for the University of Kentucky Athletics Department.

This group will advise Todd in selecting a national search firm, developing the criteria desired in the next athletics director, identifying candidates for the position, and providing input on the candidates.

"I will ultimately make the decision on who we will hire as the next athletics director, but I feel it is extremely important to get input into that process," said Todd. "This advisory group is an extremely strong collection of individuals who represent our community, athletics and our university. They understand the needs and demands of this position and I appreciate them giving of their time to assist the university in this process."

The advisory group includes:

-- Mira Ball, community leader, former chair of the Greater Lexington Chamber of Commerce and owner of Ball Homes;

-- Sam Bowie, former basketball letterman at UK and NBA star and now a Lexington businessman;

-- Dermontti Dawson, former football letterman at UK and NFL star and now a Lexington businessman;

-- John R. Hall, former football letterman at Vanderbilt University, retired CEO and chairman of Ashland Inc., and currently a director of Bank One and president of the McDowell Cancer Foundation;

-- Garrett Headley, former wrestling letterman at UK, president of the K Association and a Lexington stockbroker;

-- Claire Pomeroy, member of the UK faculty in the College of Medicine and a faculty representative to the Board of Trustees; and

-- Gerald Smith, member of the UK History Department faculty, director of the UK African American Studies and Research Program and faculty representative to the UK Athletic Association board.