Western to begin search for new athletic director

Western Washington University will soon begin a national search to fill the position of director of athletics, following the retirement of longtime director Lynda Goodrich.

Alden & Associates, an executive search and consulting firm for intercollegiate athletics, has been hired to direct the search. According to Betsy Alden, president and CEO of Alden & Associates, the firm is committed to providing the best match for Western's needs. The firm focuses exclusively on the world of intercollegiate athletics and has a very strong track record of placements throughout the NCAA, as well as a strong commitment to diversity.

A search committee has been named by Senior Vice President for Enrollment and Student Services Eileen Coughlin to be chaired by Bruce Larson, Western's faculty athletic representative and professor of secondary education in Western's Woodring College.

Other members of the committee are Linda Beckman, Enrollment and Student Services Division director of budget and administration; Travis Connell, head coach, Women's Soccer; Carmen Dolfo, head coach, Women's Basketball; Joseph Hunter, senior director of development and leadership gifts, Western Foundation; Theodore "Butch" Kamena, athletics compliance coordinator/academic advisor; Becky Rawlings, Athletic Advisory Committee member; Brad Swanson, Athletic Advisory Committee member; Jarred Tyson, AS VP for Activities; and Amber Dodd, Student Athletics Committee representative (women's track & field).

Western and Alden & Associates will begin preliminary work this fall. The university and area communities will be apprised of the progress of the search via the Western Athletics website and Western Today.