USU narrows AD field

LOGAN — The long process of trimming 62 applicants for the Utah State University athletic director job is slowly winding down, and USU president Kermit L. Hall hopes to have someone in place by July 1, if not sooner.

Randall Spetman (Air Force Academy), Chris Ritrievi (Michigan State) and Greg Byrne (Kentucky) were selected Tuesday as the first three candidates to be invited to campus for a continued interview.

Those visits are expected sometime in early June. Hall said more candidates could be invited for visits at a later time.

Hall said the candidate must possess the ability to work with coaches of all the sports; understand the role of the football coach and the importance of the football program to the school; push for graduation of athletes; and have the ability to work with a budget and stay within budget.

"I'm very pleased with the pool of people who came with interest in the job," Hall said.

Spetman was the athletic director at the Air Force Academy for eight years before resigning in the fall of 2003. He has a master's degree in management and supervision from Central Michigan University.

Ritrievi is currently the associate athletic director and director of development at Michigan State. He was the director of athletics at Northern Iowa from 1992 to 1999. He has also been the an associate AD at Stanford University.

Byrne's current responsibilities at Kentucky include development and fund-raising as an associate athletic director. He was also an associate athletic director at Oregon State and Oregon.

Hall said he received applications from persons who have worked in or closely with the Atlantic Coast Conference, Big 12 Conference, Big 10 Conference, Mountain West Conference, Western Athletic Conference and several applicants from schools on the Div. I-AA level.

"I'm eager to move things along and get some resolution," Hall said.

The selection of a competent athletic director is paramount for the university as it will join the WAC for the 2005 season in all sports.

Also, the university is currently generating funding for upgrades for Romney Stadium, including a new playing surface, press box, concession areas and restrooms. Funding is also being generated for other athletic venues.

The new athletic director will replace Rance Pugmire, who resigned last month amid allegations he was driving under the influence of alcohol, which resulted in a rollover accident.

Fred H. Hunsaker, retired vice president of administrative services, was appointed the interim athletic director in February and will continue in that position until a replacement is named.

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