The first step in the process of hiring a new men’s basketball head coach was taken today as the eight-member search committee was announced Monday.

The members consist of professor of biological science Bud Fischer, WEIU-TV play-by-play broadcaster Mike Bradd, Director of Student Life Cecilia Brinker, redshirt freshman guard Bobby Catchings, Sports Information Director Dave Kidwell, president of the Panther Club Gary Kling, Director of Admissions Brenda Ross and women’s basketball coach Brady Sallee.

“The search committee encompasses a broad range of campus constituencies,” Director of Athletics Rich McDuffie said.

Fischer will be the chair of the committee and along with the other seven members will receive instructions from McDuffie on Wednesday and begin reviewing candidates the week of March 21.

“I guess I’m the chair, but it will be a group effort in making this process,” Fischer said. “I take it as an honor to fill an extremely important job at this university.”

In the Wednesday meeting, McDuffie will lay down the instructions of the committee along with explaining the job description and a timetable of how the process will occur.

Athletic success is not the only ideal that the committee will be evaluating as it narrows the list of people applying.

“The most important thing in my head is finding a person who understands academics and athletics are supposed to work together as one,” Fischer said. “We are a academic instiution here, and it wouldn’t make sense to hire somebody that only graduates a few of their players.”

The only concern could be what kind of committee they turn out to be.

“I’m going to ask [Dr. McDuffie] are we a screening committtee meaning narrowing the pool for him or are we a search committee meaning we get to find people and rank them in order,” Ross said.

Sallee will be on a committee after speaking to a search committee that eventually recommended him less than a year ago. Sallee refused to comment.

Fischer declared that he and his committee members will get plenty of applicants for this opening.

“I perceive this as a good or very good mid-major job with huge positives for somebody willing to move up,” Fischer said. “We have an athletic department committed to winning and an arena that when full, tell me it’s almost not impossible to win.”

Search Committee

Bud Fischer, biological science professor

Mike Bradd, WEIU-TV

CeCi Brinker, director of Student Life

Bobby Catchings, freshman guard

Dave Kidwell, sports info director

Gary Kling, Panther Club president

Brenda Ross, director of admissions

Brady Sallee, women’s basketball coach