Committee named to conduct search for athletics director

AMES, Iowa--A five-member committee will conduct the search for a new athletics director at Iowa State University. The committee is chaired by Ben Allen, vice president for academic affairs and provost. Allen said the committee goal is to name a new athletics director this fall.

The search committee will interview and screen candidates, and submit finalists to President Gregory Geoffroy, who will name the new athletics director.

The new athletics director will succeed Bruce Van De Velde, who announced Monday that he is resigning, effective at the end of the year. He will continue to serve as athletics director until his successor is chosen, or until Dec. 31, 2005.

The search committee will be assisted by Baker-Parker and Associates, Inc., an executive search consulting firm based in Atlanta.

Allen said the search committee welcomes nominations for athletics director. Nominations should be sent to Athletics Director Search Committee, Office of the President, 1750 Beardshear Hall, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa 50011; or e-mailed to president@iastate.edu.

Committee members

Members of the search committee are:

  • Ben Allen, vice president for academic affairs and provost (chair)
  • Peg Armstrong Gustafson, founder and owner, Amson Technology, LC, Waukee
  • Jeff Johnson, president, Iowa State University Alumni Association
  • John Schuh, chair, Iowa State Athletics Council and distinguished professor of educational leadership and policy studies
  • Gary Thompson, owner and president, Gary Thompson Oil Co., Ames

The Iowa State athletics director reports to the president, and manages a department with a budget of $29 million and 124 full-time employees. More than 400 student-athletes at Iowa State compete in 11 women's and seven men's sports.