By TOMMY REZAC
St. Joseph Post
The search for the next athletic director at Missouri Western State University has been paused, and will reopen early next year.
University president Elizabeth Kennedy said in a statement late Thursday afternoon, "After careful review and consideration of our three finalists who visited campus earlier this month, and after consultation with many people on campus and in the community, we are pausing the search and will reopen the position in January."
While all three candidates are highly qualified and capable people, none stood out as the right fit for Missouri Western at this time, and that needs to be our standard in all hiring decisions.”
The University named Franklin Pierce University athletic director Rachel Burleson, Illinois State associate A.D. of external affairs Dwight Merilatt and South Dakota School of Mines A.D. Joel Lueken as their three finalists.
Those three finalists all spoke to community members and Missouri Western supporters on the week of Oct. 11.
Theresa Grosbach, who has served as interim A.D. since September, will remain in that role. The previous A.D., Josh Looney, left Missouri Western after four years in late August to take the same job at Division I North Alabama.