DiStefano names search committee for new athletic department director

Chancellor Philip P. DiStefano

University of Colorado Boulder Chancellor Philip P. DiStefano has announced the formation of a search committee to find a new director of intercollegiate athletics.

CU Athletic Director Mike Bohn resigned from the post as AD effective June 3.

“I am delighted to announce the formation of the committee that will seek new leadership for CU athletics,” DiStefano said. “These individuals have graciously agreed to serve on the committee, and each represents a key constituency with a strong stake in the success of our athletic programs. I am grateful for their service.”

Members of the search committee:

• Ceal Barry, CU-Boulder interim director of intercollegiate athletics and chair of the search
• Kelly Fox, CU-Boulder senior vice chancellor and chief financial officer
• Doug Looney, alumni representative, former Sports Illustrated writer
• Joe Jupille, CU-Boulder faculty representative, BFA Intercollegiate Athletics Committee
• David Clough, CU-Boulder Pac-12 faculty representative
• Kurt Gulbrand, CU Foundation
• Brittany Lewis, CU-Boulder student-athlete (track)

DiStefano lauded Barry for agreeing to serve as chair of the committee. She also is currently serving as interim director of intercollegiate athletics and will hold the post until a successor is chosen.

“I don’t want anyone to think that while we search for a new AD that things are standing still in athletics,” DiStefano said. “Ceal is moving things ahead and working hard to position our department operationally and financially. She will also play a key role in easing the transition of our new AD once he or she is chosen. I remain grateful for her leadership in taking on these vital roles.”

Barry acknowledged that those roles of search chair and interim athletic director preclude her being a candidate for the post.

“I thought long and hard about it and came to the conclusion that I can best serve the university and the department by working hard as the interim director, and by helping move the process forward by chairing the search,” Barry said. “As a former coach, and current senior woman administrator and associate athletic director, I look forward to helping the new AD hit the ground running to achieve our goals and move the department forward.”

DiStefano said it remains to be seen whether the group will employ the services of a search firm, saying, “I want the group to convene as soon as possible and get to know each other before we make that decision. I am open to using a search firm if the consensus is that we need one.”

He said the goal is to have a new AD in place “as soon as possible – certainly by the start of football season this fall.”