C of C narrows AD search

The College of Charleston has narrowed its search for a new athletics director, with four and possibly five candidates scheduled to visit campus between now and Nov. 8 for a final round of interviews.

Joe Hull, a senior associate athletics director at Maryland, was the first of the finalists invited in for a return visit to campus to participate in an open forum with faculty and staff Monday morning at Sottile Theatre.

"We're approaching the end of the process," said interim athletics director Fred Daniels, who has spearheaded the search for a replacement for athletics director Jerry Baker, who stepped down in June. "The president (P. George Benson) will make the final determination."

Other finalists include East Carolina senior associate athletics director Jimmy Bass, Notre Dame associate athletics director Eugene "Boo" Corrigan and former Rhode Island athletics director Tom McElroy.

A common thread among all the finalists is a strong background in fund- raising.

Hull's experience includes supervising athletics department fundraising, compliance, media relations, marketing and promotion and licensing.

Corrigan, the son of former Notre Dame athletics director and Atlantic Coast Conference Commissioner Gene Corrigan, oversees corporate relations and marketing for the Fighting Irish.

Bass heads external operations at East Carolina and oversees fundraising, marketing and promotions, ticketing and media relations efforts.

McElroy served two years as athletics director at Rhode Island before resigning in April of 2006 to work for an athletics department consulting firm.

Bass is scheduled for a final visit on Thursday, and Corrigan on Friday. McElroy and possibly a fifth and final candidate, will visit campus on Nov. 8.

"We're extremely happy with the candidates we have," Daniels said. "We cannot make a bad choice from this group."

Reach Charles Bennett at cbennett@postandcourier.com.