Blake James Named UMaine Athletic Director
Contact: Joe Carr at (207) 581-3571; Brent Williamson (207) 581-4158
ORONO, Me. — University of Maine President Robert Kennedy announced today that he has chosen Blake James to be Director of Athletics at UMaine. James, who has been at UMaine since 2003 and has served as interim athletic director since July 2005, was chosen following a national search.
“Several seasoned and accomplished athletics administrators expressed interest in this position,” Kennedy says. “It is clear to me that Blake presents all of the attributes that we are looking for in a UMaine athletic director.”
James was one of three finalists announced last month. Wayne State University Athletic Director Robert Fournier and Frank Pergolizzi, the athletic director at Southeastern Louisiana University, also visited campus for a series of interviews and meetings. Kennedy decided on James over the weekend and offered him the job on Monday. University of Maine System Chancellor Joseph Westphal granted his approval, as required by System policy, on Tuesday. The appointment will become final when approved by the University of Maine System Board of Trustees.
“I had never met Blake before the search committee first interviewed him earlier this spring,” says Prof. David Townsend, director of UMaine’s School of Marine Sciences and chair of the 11-member search committee. “But I was instantly impressed with his maturity, his intelligence and his clear ideas about how the UMaine athletic department should operate. As a professor, I was struck by his sincere commitment to academics and to making the student-athlete experience a positive one; and of course, as a Black Bear fan, I am excited about the future of the athletic program under Blake’s leadership.”
Black Bear coaches Ann McInerney (women’s basketball) and Tim Whitehead (men’s hockey) were on the search committee.
“The University of Maine is a wonderful institution and I am elated to have the opportunity to continue in the role of athletic director,” James says. “Our future success will depend on our ability to provide our student-athletes with the resources they need to achieve academic and athletic excellence. President Kennedy has a tremendous vision for our University and I am excited to be a part of that vision.”
James came to UMaine in 2003 to serve as senior associate athletic director. Kennedy appointed him interim A.D. when Patrick Nero left UMaine last summer to become commissioner of the America East Conference.
“Blake faced several tests during his tenure as interim athletic director,” Kennedy says. “In each case, he passed with flying colors. I am particularly impressed with his personal integrity, his commitment to student-athletes, and his firm understanding of the appropriate role of an athletics department in a first-class academic institution. I have no doubt that Black Bear student-athletes will continue to excel, both in the classroom and in competition, as we move forward with Blake as UMaine’s athletic director.”
Before coming to UMaine, James worked in athletic administration, mostly in fundraising roles, at the University of Nebraska, the University of Miami and Providence College. He earned a bachelor’s degree from Mankato State University and a master’s degree from St. Thomas University in Miami.
“Fundraising is a critical skill for any Division I athletic director in this day and age,” says Kennedy. “This is particularly true at an institution like UMaine, where we are involved in a fundraising campaign. Blake’s proven track record in fundraising, and the relationships he has already developed within the UMaine donor community, will serve us well. He really understands and appreciates what UMaine is all about, and he will be an outstanding leader in our campus community.”
UMaine is in the first year of a six-year $150 million comprehensive fundraising campaign.
The UMaine athletic department has been operating without a senior associate athletic director since James’ promotion last summer. He says he plans to start a search to fill that role right away.