Mark Alnutt

As Southeast Missouri State University students prepare for the end of the semester, the university's recently announced athletic director is getting ready to step into his new role on campus.

Mark Alnutt, senior associate athletic director for administration at the University of Missouri and former football player for the Tigers, was introduced last month as Southeast's new athletic director.

Alnutt, 39, appears to be a good fit for the university. Missouri athletic director Mike Alden attended the news conference held at the Aleen Vogel Wehking Alumni Center and called Alnutt a "terrific leader."

Based on Alnutt's comments at the announcement, it's clear that the Kansas City, Mo. native will embrace an ambitious agenda at Southeast. From working with coaches to avoid potential problems -- like the recent hazing incident on campus -- to keeping a primary focus on academics, to setting high goals for athletic success, to connecting with the community, Alnutt's words suggest good things to come from Southeast athletics.

While we're still a few weeks from his official start date, said to be around May 21, we're pleased to welcome Alnutt to Cape Girardeau.

Thanks also to Cindy Gannon, Southeast's associate director of athletics/senior woman administrator, for serving as the interim athletic director since June following the retirement of John Shafer.

Southeast athletics shows great promise. With the new athletic director in place, we look forward to good things in the future.