UMKC's Hall withdraws from consideration for athletic director position

The only current athletic director among the three finalists for Southeast Missouri State's vacant AD position pulled out of the process Wednesday, leaving two in contention for the position.

Timothy Hall, who has been the AD at the University of Missouri-Kansas City since February 2007, withdrew just one day before he was to visit Cape Girardeau for his interview.

Hall, who had worked previously at Kent State and Eastern Kentucky, was announced as one of the three finalists Monday afternoon.

"It was a long, hard-fought, family decision to remain at UMKC," Hall said.

Kathy Mangels, Southeast's vice president of finance and administration and the chair of the search committee, said she was disappointed that Hall withdrew.

"We felt he was a strong candidate obviously to the point where we invited him and he accepted, and we had no inclination otherwise," she said. "We are disappointed, but we feel the other two candidates are strong, and we're excited they are coming to campus and to see people's reactions."

Former Ole Miss and EKU AD John Shafer was on campus Wednesday, and Cincinnati senior associate AD Michael Waddell will be on campus Friday.

"At this point," Mangels said, "we'll complete the process the way it stands with the two candidates and look at the feedback we get. We will forward that on to the president and let him took at that and determine if there is enough of a pool to chose from."

The committee met with six candidates Sunday and narrowed its list to three.

Hall said he contacted consultant Bill Carr, who is coordinating the search for the university, on Wednesday morning.

"I thought the respectful thing to do was allow them to be able to focus on the best fit," Hall said.

Hall released a statement on the UMKC Web site announcing his decision.

"The direction of UMKC athletics is strong, as is the support from the university and our Kansas City community," he said in the statement. "This loyalty sustains our work in building a premier athletics program, and I look forward to continuing my partnership with the students, coaches and staff in the UMKC athletics department, UMKC and Kansas City."

The involvement of Carr, who is the director of the Florida-based Carr Sports Associates, was one of the reasons Hall said he was interested. He also cited the Ohio Valley Conference and the strength of Southeast's athletics program as reasons.

"The football component had something to do with it," Hall said.

UMKC does not have football, but during Hall's 22 months, the university has added women's soccer and secured a $5 million gift for the construction of a stadium for soccer and track. The men's soccer team won the Summit League and played in the NCAA tournament this fall.

Hall, whose accomplishments at UMKC also include the implementation of a strategic plan similar to Southeast's goal for the coming months, said he will focus on his efforts to help the Kangaroos climb from "a low-major program into a mid-major."

"I have a tremendous amount of respect for Kathy Mangels and the people I met, and I wish them the best," Hall said. "It seemed like it would be a great opportunity. It will be for the right person."