SEMO ATHLETICS UNDERGOES SEVERAL PERSONNEL CHANGES

June is normally a slow month for college athletic departments, but Southeast Missouri State University has plenty going on.

The school recently announced that Eric Foote has been named assistant athletic director, Cindy Gannon has been named assistant to the athletic director and strength coach Tom Kelso has resigned.

Foote, Southeast's marketing director the past two years, will become assistant athletic director for marketing and promotions effective July 1. In his new position, Foote will continue with his marketing and promotion duties while also becoming involved in development initiatives.

Gannon, Southeast's successful head volleyball coach, will continue those duties but she will also assist athletic director Don Kaverman and provide administrative support for a variety of areas, including the upcoming NCAA certification review, facilities management, fund raising and marketing.

In 12 years as Southeast's volleyball coach, Gannon has compiled a 309-149 record. She has led the Otahkians to the NCAA Tournament in four of the last five years.

"Foote has done an outstanding job in his two years at Southeast and we look forward to his leadership in his expanded duties," said Kaverman. "Coach Gannon has developed an outstanding volleyball program at Southeast and is ready to assume additional responsibilities within the department. Her experience and expertise will be invaluable to us."

The resignation of Kelso, Southeast's strength coach for all sports since 1991, will take effect June 30.

"I had a lot of good times here, a lot of positives. I had a lot of good relationships and the coaches have been great," said Kelso. "It's just kind of time to move on and pursue other opportunities.

"I feel good about what we did here. I think in my 10 years here, so many of the teams did a great job in the weight room. Overall I feel pretty good about it. It's hard to measure how much the strength factor had to do with success of various teams, but we've had a lot of successful teams."

Gannon will head up a national search to find a replacement for Kelso, with the school hoping to have a strength coach on the job by Aug. 1.