UAF ATHLETIC DIRECTOR TO LEAVE POSITION
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 10, 2001
Fairbanks, Alaska — University of Alaska Fairbanks Athletics and
Recreation Director Randy Pitney is leaving his current position at UAF.
Pitney’s contract as athletic director ends June 30, 2002, and will
not be renewed, according to UAF Chancellor Marshall Lind. Pitney will
serve as Special Assistant to Dean of Students Carla Kirts for the remainder
of his term.
Pitney has been in his current position since 1998. Prior to that, Pitney
served as interim director for eight months following the departure of
former Athletics and Recreation Director Kelly Higgins, who left UAF to
become athletic director at the University of South Dakota. Pitney began
his coaching career at UAF in 1985, leading the rifle team to an NCAA
championship in 1994, 1999 and 2000.
The UAF rifle team continues to rank among the top collegiate competitors
in the nation, winning its fourth NCAA championship in 2001. Pitney is
a 1972 UAF graduate who was named an All-American in 1970. He sat on and
chaired the NCAA rifle rules committee for six years, the rifle International
Competition Committee for the U.S. Olympic Committee and served as president
of the Collegiate Rifle Coaches Association.
In making the announcement today, UAF Chancellor Lind thanked Pitney
for his years of service to UAF. Lind also announced the appointment of
Tanana Valley Campus Director Jake Poole as the Chancellor’s Special
Assistant for Athletics.
Before his appointment as TVC director last year, Poole was director
of the UAF Alumni Association. Poole served 22 years in the U.S. Army
and was Post Commander at Fort Wainwright from 1993-1995 before his retirement
from the armed services. Poole has a broad background in education including
25 years of teaching, curriculum development and vocational education.
"I’m very pleased that Jake has agreed to take on some additional
duties over the next six months as we initiate a nationwide search for
a replacement for Randy," Lind said.
Poole will continue in his position as TVC Director while on special
assignment and he will lead the search for a new athletic director.
Lind said UAF and Pitney have much to be proud of with its athletic department.
"Our Nanook rifle team won its fourth national championship, our
student athletes as a whole have one of the highest grade point averages
and we’ve attracted excellent coaches who care about their respective
programs," he said.
Lind pointed out that December is typically the time he reviews contracts
of all executive positions. As an executive manager, Pitney serves at
the pleasure of the chancellor. "This decision reflects no discredit
on the job that Randy has done for the university," Lind said.
"As with any program that evolves, changes are inevitable. I believe
that the time is right for a change in athletics," Lind said.
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CONTACT: UAF Senior Public Information Officer Debra Damron (907)
474-7581 or by e-mail to debra.damron@uaf.edu
DPD/12-10-01/01-027