Athens, Ga. – University of Georgia President Michael F. Adams announced the appointment of an interim director of athletics and members of a search committee to help choose the next UGA athletic director during a regular monthly media briefing July 6.
“I have appointed Frank Crumley to serve as interim athletic director,” Adams said.”Frank is the executive associate athletic director for finance and administration, a position he has held since 2007.Since joining the athletic department in 1991, he has held a series of increasingly senior positions.Frank holds both a bachelor’s and master’s degree from UGA and can continue the positive work that is being done in the athletic program here.”
Crumley’s appointment comes after Adams accepted Damon Evans’ resignation as athletic director on July 4.
“The past five days have been very difficult, even sad, for all of us,” Adams said.”But we still have important work to do, and it is time for us to move on.”
Crumley serves as chief financial officer for the athletic department. He is also responsible for day-to-day operations, budget planning and reporting, contracts and information technology.
He has played a number of integral roles within the athletic association over the course of his career. He began in 1991 in the promotions and marketing department. From 1994-2000, he was the assistant ticket manager. He was promoted to director of business operations before being named to assistant athletic director for business operations in 2003.
Crumley earned a bachelor’s degree in exercise and sports science in 1987 and a master’s degree in sports administration in 1990. He is a native of Eden, N.C. and graduated from Brookstone High School in Columbus. He is married to the former Mary Beth Elias of Norcross, who works in the external affairs division at UGA.
Adams also announced the formation of a search committee and its members.
“I have appointed a search committee to begin the task of finding the next athletic director for the University of Georgia,” Adams said.”The members of this committee have strong ties to this place and a deep understanding of its history and culture.I have asked them to move expeditiously on this important task.”
David Shipley, the Thomas R.R. Cobb Professor of Law, will chair the committee. Shipley is UGA’s faculty athletic representative and has also served as the University Council’s representative to the athletic board.Adams said that as the former dean of the School of Law, he is well-suited to guide this group.
Other committee members include: Swann Seiler, who earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism from UGA in 1978 and has served as the president of the UGA Alumni Association, is currently a member of the executive board of the athletic association and is a trustee of the Arch Foundation; Jack Bauerle, who earned a bachelor’s degree in English from UGA in 1975, is UGA’s head swimming coach, was head coach for the U.S. women’s swim team in the 2008 Beijing Olympics and is a native of Philadelphia who came to UGA as a student-swimmer; Tom Landrum, who earned a bachelor’s degree in history in 1972 and a master’s degree in journalism in 1987-both from UGA, is the senior vice president for external affairs and a long time member of the senior administrative team, having served four presidents in a number of capacities; Carla Williams, who earned a bachelor’s degree in sociology in 1989 and a master’s degree in public administration in 1991-both from UGA and a Ph.D. from Florida State University and is a four-time letter winner for Coach Andy Landers’ Lady Dogs, is the senior associate athletic director and senior woman administrator in the athletic department; and Robert “Trey” Sinyard, a native of Athens and the recipient of a Foundation fellowship-the highest academic scholarship awarded to UGA students, is a student representative on the board of the UGA Athletic Association and a member of the cross country team.
In concluding the briefing, Adams said, “I want to acknowledge that one of the many good things that Mr. Evans did was put in place a very strong staff, and I know that they are ready to continue moving forward with much success.”
During the briefing, Adams highlighted student successes as recipients of national scholarships and fellowships; discussed marine scientist Samantha Joye’s extensive work in wake of the Gulf oil spill, mentioning that she has been cited in the national and international media almost 2,000 times since the explosion of the Deepwater Horizon oil rig; mentioned researcher Steve Stice’s recently announced technique for producing stem cells from adult livestock, a finding with potential for the treatment of diabetes and other serious diseases; and noted that UGA students are studying on virtually every continent and there is a public service presence in all 159 counties in Georgia.
