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New football stadium to open in September
By Tom Gaffney
Beacon Journal sports writer
Published on Tuesday, Jun 09, 2009
Rhoades, 43, is being considered for athletic director at the University of Houston, Fox television station 26 in Houston reported on Monday.
Rhoades was in Houston on Sunday for the first round of interviews and is expected to be invited back for a second interview later this week, media sources in Houston said.
Rhoades, who has been at UA since January 2006, was a finalist at Rutgers University in February, but did not get the job.
When contacted, Rhoades said he was not at liberty to comment, saying, ''At this time, I can't elaborate on any details.''
Luis Proenza, the university president, went through the uncertainty of losing Rhoades to Rutgers, and was philosophical about going through it again.
''We know that Mack is a sought-after talent. His leadership and record here with the UA athletics program is commendable,'' Proenza said. ''We have received national recognition in many of our programs under his direction. Although we would not want to lose him, we wish him the best of luck.''
The list of candidates has not been released, but media outlets in Houston have reported that there are six to eight names on it. Another known candidate is acting Athletic Director John Robinson Jr.
University President Renu Khator and search committee co-chairmen Carl Carlucci and Ken Bailey have conducted a first round of interviews over the past several days.
The three men are expected to turn over a list of two or three finalists to be interviewed by the full 11-person search committee this week. There is a chance the choice of the search committee will be announced as early as Friday, but it could be early next week.
Rhoades did not apply for the position. A headhunter firm, Parker Executive Search, recommended him to the university.
It was not known whether Rhoades has any contacts at the school through his seven years at the University of Texas-El Paso.
The position is open because Dave Maggard, 69, resigned April 22 after seven years on the job.
Houston is a member of Conference USA, which also includes Memphis, Tulsa, SMU, Rice, UTEP and Tulane.
Rhoades holds a bachelor's degree from the University of Arizona and a master's degree from Indiana University.
Key role in stadium
He is among the key players in the construction of the football stadium that will open in September on the UA campus.
Soon after he was hired, Rhoades said one of his primary goals was to replace the antiquated Rubber Bowl with a new on-campus stadium that would ''change the culture'' of Zips football.
He then worked closely with school officials to turn it into a reality.
The new InfoCision Stadium, which cost $61.5 million and has a capacity of just under 30,000, is on schedule to be finished for the Sept. 12 opener against Morgan State.
That experience may help Rhoades, because the University of Houston is planning extensive renovations of its Robertson Stadium, including adding a club level, suites and a new press box.
Rhoades also has implemented academic programs for UA athletes that have placed an emphasis on classroom success.
In addition, he implemented a class attendance policy for athletes and a student-athlete Code of Conduct.
Tom Gaffney can be reached at tgaffney@thebeaconjournal.com.
Get the full article here.
Comments
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medina, oh
Posted 07:51 AM, 06/09/2009
bye,bye...don't let the door hit you on the way out of akron
Canton, OH
Posted 02:48 PM, 06/09/2009
If Mack doesn't wanna be here, LEAVE. . .The Zips are turnin' the corner in all sports & will be a force to reckon with for years to come. . We have a built in patsie, err, rival, down the road ( KSU ), a new stadium, & great coaches in all sports. . .
FEAR THE ' ROO. . .
Highland Square, OH
Posted 05:53 PM, 06/09/2009
Best stadium in the state. Not the largest. But the best.
