Five finalists have been named in the search for Missouri State University’s Director of Athletics position.  The five are scheduled for interviews over the next five weeks.

   The five finalists are successful and experienced athletics administrators from five different states across the country.  The finalists were among 103 who applied to replace Bill Rowe, who is retiring in June after a 50-year association with Missouri State, the past 27 as Director of Athletics.

   The five finalists and their interview dates are:

• Bob Arkeilpane (ARK-earl-pane), Deputy Director of Athletics at the University of Cincinnati April 26-28
• Rick Darnell, Executive Director of Athletic Fundraising and Associate Athletics Director for Athletics Advancement at Baylor University May 3-5
• Mike Marlow, Senior Associate Athletics Director for External Affairs at the University of Oregon May 6-8
• Kyle Moats (rhymes with BOATS), Associate Athletics Director of National Marketing at the University of Louisville May 17-19
• Don Oberhelman (O-ber-hell-man), Senior Associate Athletics Director and Chief Operating Officer at San Diego State University May 10-12

   “We had a great response to this position,” said Brent Dunn, Vice President for University Advancement and Chair of the Search Committee, “which is not surprising, given Missouri State’s athletics history and the strength of the program.  And, we believe we have an outstanding group of finalists to interview.  It is a very exciting time for all of us in BearNation.”

   When the finalists come to campus, they will be involved in about two days of interviews with the Search Committee, coaches and athletics department staff, student-athletes, other administrators, and President Michael T. Nietzel.  There also will be a session with media and an Open Forum for the entire campus community, Bears fans, and the general public.  The detailed interview schedules for each of the five will be publicized when they are finalized.

   University officials hope to make a final selection soon after the interviews are completed so the new Director of Athletics can begin his duties on July 1 or soon thereafter.

-MSU-

By Rick Kindhart and Paul Kincaid

 

Media Availability
-- Brent Dunn, Chair of the Director of Athletics Search Committee, will be available to meet with media at 3:30 p.m. Friday, April 17, in the Alumni Lounge (third floor) of Hammons Student Center

Web Link of Interest
-- Visit the Athletics Director Search web site for more background: www.MissouriState.edu/ADSearch

 

Five Finalists for Director of Athletics

Bob Arkeilpane
Bob Arkeilpane has been Deputy Director of Athletics at the University of Cincinnati since 2005 and is the No. 2 administrator overseeing UC's 18 intercollegiate programs. He served as Director of Athletics at the University of Buffalo from 1998-2003 where he had responsibility for the school's 17 sports teams. He served on the Mid-American Conference Infractions Committee and the Big East Conference Baseball and Volleyball Committees. He served as Assistant Director of Athletics for Development at Miami University of Ohio (1993-95) and Cal State Fullerton (1985-87) and also has extensive development and campaign planning experience in previous roles at Cincinnati and Buffalo. The 1981 graduate of Syracuse University was a four-year letterman as a defensive back for the Orange football program and holds a Master of Sports Administration from Ohio University where he also served as a graduate assistant football coach (1981-82).  www.GoBearcats.com

Rick Darnell
Rick Darnell currently serves as Executive Director of Athletics Fundraising and Associate Athletics Director for Athletics Advancement at Baylor University, where he has been a vital part of the fundraising and development efforts for the university's 18 athletics programs since 2007. He was Associate Athletics Director for Development at the University of Idaho from 2004-07 where he also oversaw the Vandal Scholarship Fund. He also has a wealth of coaching experience, including a stint as assistant men's basketball coach at McKendree University in Lebanon, Ill., for legendary coach Harry Statham. His professional experience also spans more than a decade in the corporate world as a manager, consultant and major gifts officer.  He is a 1992 graduate of the US Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point, N.Y. and holds a Master of Business Administration degree from Washington University in St. Louis. www.BaylorBears.com

Mike Marlow
Mike Marlow has been a part of the administration at the University of Oregon since 1998 and is currently the Senior Associate Athletics Director for the Duck Leadership Team. In that capacity, he is charged with the day-to-day management of Oregon Athletics, along with fellow team members, and is responsible for the short and long-term strategic planning for the department. He has also held the positions of Senior Associate Athletics Director for External Operations (2005-06), Associate Athletics Director for External Operations (2003-05), Assistant Athletics Director & Executive Director of the Duck Athletic Fund (1999-2003) and Duck Athletic Fund Director, Portland (1998-99). He also served three years as Assistant Athletics Director at the University of Idaho (1995-98) and 3 years as Assistant Director of the Grizzly Athletic Association at the University of Montana (1991-95). He is a 1990 graduate of Washington State University.  www.GoDucks.com

Kyle Moats
Kyle Moats is in his fourth year as Associate Athletics Director for National Marketing at the University of Louisville. He coordinates the Cardinals' efforts in national awareness, marketing, branding and group ticket sales. He was Senior Associate Athletics Director at Marquette University from 2004-05 where he oversaw MU's Blue and Gold Fund and several offices. He also has 14 years experience at the University of Kentucky, including his last two years at UK as Associate Athletics Director for Marketing (2000-02) for the university’s 22 intercollegiate teams. He also held titles of Assistant Athletics Director for Marketing (1997-2000), Director of Marketing, Promotions and Licensing (1993-97) and Coordinator of Promotions and Special Events (1991-93) at UK. He is a 1988 graduate of SIU-Edwardsville, where he also served as a men’s basketball volunteer assistant, and earned his Master’s degree in Kinesiology and Sports Management from Kentucky in 2001.  www.UofLSports.com

Don Oberhelman
Don Oberhelman has been Senior Associate Athletics Director and Chief Operating Officer at San Diego State University since 2007. He is responsible for the daily operations of SDSU's 17 intercollegiate programs. He spent five years at the University of Southern Mississippi (2002-07) where he supervised operational policies and procedures and a number of offices as Senior Associate Athletics Director. He also has served as Education Coordinator at Texas A&M University (1998-2002) and as Compliance Assistant at Florida State University (1995-98). He is a member of the NCAA Legislative Review and Interpretations Committee and has served as compliance chair for Conference USA, as well as presenting at numerous sports law and sports management conferences and seminars. He is a 1993 graduate of Kansas State University and holds a Master of Science degree in Athletic Administration from Florida State University (1996).  www.GoAztecs.com