The search for the new athletics director continued Monday as the 15- person advisory committee began the review process of applicants.

Mary Anne Hanner, committee chair and dean of Eastern’s college of sciences, would not reveal the number of applicants but said there was a number of quality candidates.

Jan. 2 was the deadline for new applicants, and Hanner said all of the applications for the position have been processed.

Hanner said the committee was looking for a number of qualities in a new athletic director.

“We are looking for someone who has had a history of being a good administrator and someone who is a good fundraiser,” she said. “We want someone who has good people skills and that has experience managing a budget, especially as one as big as Eastern’s.”

She added that the committee was most interested in finding someone who would value the student-athlete.

Interim athletics director Ken Baker said he hopes the new director has character and is a good fit for the university.

“I don’t think the person needs a lot of experience,” Baker said. “I don’t know if experience is as valuable as someone who is caring and is a hard worker. They have to realize this is a special place, and we have accomplished a lot.”

Baker said he doesn’t care if the new athletic director is an alumnus, but hopes he or she is familiar with the school.

“We may not have a Big Ten budget, but we have a lot,” Baker said. “There may be schools out there with more money, but I’d put our people here up against anyone’s.”

Baker has been working as a full-time interim athletic director since he was hired Aug. 21, eight days after 11-year athletic director Rich McDuffie was put on 12-month administrative leave after allegations of sexual harassment.

Hanner said she is confident that top applicants for the position will begin campus interviews in early February. According to Eastern’s Web site, the new athletic director should begin working by July.

Fact Box:

Athletic Director Search Committee

Jill Owen, kinesiology and sports studies, representing Academic Affairs

Brenda Major, Office of Admissions

Tim McCollum, EIU Alumni Association

Gary Reed, Facilities Planning and Management, representing Business Affairs

Steve Rich, Alumni Services, representing External Relations

Ceci Brinker, Office of Student Life, representing Student Affairs

Mary Wallace, Athletics

Bob Spoo, Athletics

Gary Canivez, psychology, representing Faculty Senate

Sandy Bingham-Porter, Staff Senate

Levi Bulgar, Student Government

Michael Smith, Panther Club

Bud Fischer, biological sciences, representing the Intercollegiate Advisory Board

Rachel Galligan, the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee.

Fact Box:

Athletic Director Timeline

Aug. 13, 2007: Eastern athletics director Rich McDuffie is relieved of his duties and placed on 12-month paid administrative leave.

Aug. 21, 2007: Ken Baker, director of campus recreation, is named the interim AD.

Oct. 17, 2007: A 15-member advisory committee was named to conduct the search for Eastern’s new AD.

Jan. 2, 2008: The deadline to submit applications for the opening of Eastern’s athletics director passed.

Dan Cusack can be reached at 581-7944 or [email protected].