UMaine News

UMaine Athletic Director Finalists Selected

Contact: Joe Carr at (207) 581-3571

ORONO — Three seasoned administrators, each of whom is currently in charge of a Division I athletics program, are finalists for the University of Maine’s Director of Athletics position. The three finalists were chosen from a national search that began in late 2005.

“The candidate pool was exceptionally strong, which says good things about the way people around the country perceive the University of Maine and its athletic department,” says Prof. David Townsend, director of UMaine’s School of Marine Sciences and chair of the search committee. “The three finalists each have an impressive record of achievement in managing athletic programs within institutions of higher education. They are experienced, accomplished and eminently capable of leading the Black Bear program.”

Each finalist will visit UMaine for an extensive series of interviews and meetings. Listed alphabetically, they are:

, currently director of athletics at Wayne State University, a position he has held since 2000. Fournier was at the Mid-American Conference from 1995-2000, serving at various times as associate commissioner, senior associate commissioner and acting commissioner. He also served as assistant to the athletic director and athletic director at the University of Akron, where he was also an assistant professor of communication. Fournier, who is an attorney, has a bachelor’s degree from Defiance College, a master’s from the University of Akron and a law degree from the University of Akron.

Fournier’s UMaine visit will include an open meeting with members of UMaine’s Athletic Advisory Board and interested members of the community on Wednesday April 19 at 10 a.m. in Dexter Lounge. He will be available for media interviews from 11 a.m.-11:45 on the same day, also in Dexter Lounge.

, interim athletic director at the University of Maine, a role he assumed in July of 2005. James arrived at UMaine in Oct. 2003, in the role of senior associate athletic director. He spent the prior year as director of athletic development at Providence College. He also worked from 1985 through October of 1997 and from October of 1998 through early 2001 at the University of Miami, serving as director of ticket sales, director of major gifts/corporate sale and director of athletic development. Between stints at Miami, James was athletic development officer at the University of Nebraska. He has a bachelor’s degree from Mankato State University and a master’s from St. Thomas University.

James’ media availability is scheduled for 11-11:45 a.m. on Thursday April 27 at Dexter Lounge. He will meet with the Athletic Advisory Board and interested community members from 3:30-4:30 p.m. on April 27, also in Dexter Lounge.

, the director of athletics at Southeastern Louisiana University, where he has been since 2000. Pergolizzi’s prior experience includes two years as director of athletics at East Tennessee State University and nine years at Saint Francis College in Loretto, Penn. At Saint Francis, Pergolizzi was assistant athletic director for eight months before taking over as A.D. He was also the head football coach at Saint Francis for six seasons.

Pergolizzi will be available for news interviews on Friday, April 28 from 11-11:45 a.m. in Dexter Lounge. He will also meet with the UMaine Athletic Advisory Board and interested community members from 3:30-4:30 p.m. on that day, also in Dexter Lounge.

After the campus visits are completed, the search committee will develop a recommendation for UMaine President Robert Kennedy, who will make the final hiring decision.