SEMO to introduce new athletic director Thursday

Southeast Missouri State finally will name John Shafer's successor.

The university called a news conference for 4:30 p.m. today at Kem Statuary Hall to name the new athletic director.

University president Ken Dobbins will make the announcement, and the event is open to the public.

Cindy Gannon, Southeast's associate director of athletics/senior woman administrator, has served as the interim athletic director since June, when Shafer retired.

The university hired Parker Executive Search of Atlanta to help find the right person.

Shafer served as the athletic director for about 2 1/2 years before retiring June 30 of last year. His original contract paid him $120,000 annually, and he also received $20,000 per year to purchase an annuity.

The new athletic director takes over a department that still is on probation with the NCAA until June 17, 2013. But the department has avoided any serious run-ins with the NCAA since its hearing in April 2009 for violations in the men's and women's basketball programs.