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Thursday, April 20, 2006
AD candidate visits UMaine, gives views
Copyright © 2006 Blethen Maine Newspapers Inc. | ||
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ORONO — He built an exact replica of Fenway Park's green monster for the students at Wayne State off $300,000 he raised. He gets creative when he's fund raising, believes every sports program deserves attention, and loves working with student-athletes. Rob Fournier, the athletic director at Wayne State in Detroit, is a finalist for the AD position at the University of Maine. He spoke with ease Wednesday at the university, sharing his ideas for UMaine. Fournier, 50, is the first of three finalists the university plans to bring to campus this month to interview for the position. Frank Pergolizzi, the AD at Southeastern Louisiana in Hammond, La., will visit April 27, and the interim AD, Blake James, will make his round of interviews April 28. "This is an opportunity to work with some really gifted people," said Fournier. "Student-athletes, and I've said this over and over since I've been here, these are people with very mature bodies, but they're still developing intellectually. "You learn great lessons in athletics, things about perseverance, hard work, self-sacrifice. Those are things you can talk about in a classroom, but experiences you get every day in athletics. "I'm energized by being around student-athletes. I find that really rewarding. I can't think of a better career." Fournier, a former lawyer, worked for 18 years at the University of Akron, where he was assistant athletic director, then worked as senior associate commissioner for the Mid-American Conference, and has been AD at Wayne State for nearly six years. His background and focus on academics impressed the university search committee, said the chair, Dave Townsend, an oceanography professor. "We liked his integrity in terms of balancing academics and athletics at a Division I university," said Townsend. "We want to see success in the classroom and on the court. We've been looking for that in these candidates. I think that will sell well. "I think Mainers will really get behind someone who will promote the soul of the university and build athletics into that." Townsend said it was no coincidence the he, a professor, was chosen to chair the committee. "I think that was intended to send a signal that academics and academic integrity would play a big part (in this hire)," said Townsend. Fournier said he has no set plan in mind, but did talk generally about facility improvements and scholarship increases. "You're not going to get a thorough impression just coming in for an interview," said Fournier. "I think when you lay out an agenda you've got to talk, to the stakeholders, the students, alums, faculty, administrators, that's a process that takes some time." He said he has no favorite sport and believes each team at a school deserves attention. "I think you're being disingenuous to your student-athletes if you're neglecting a sport," said Fournier. "Athletics is a marketing tool to make your alums feel good about what's going on. I want them all to be competitive and successful. "The AD has to say, 'What resources can I put here or here to make them successful?' " A final hire is expected to be made by the school president, Robert Kennedy, in early May. A search committee has been at work since the former AD, Patrick Nero, resigned last summer to head the America East Conference in Boston. James has held the position of interim AD since then. Staff Writer Jenn Menendez can be contacted at 791-6426 or at:
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