I'll pass along news, notes and quotes here
Among those here so far: R. Bowen Loftin, Barry Odom, Robin Pingeton, Mike Alden, Gary Link, Mike Kelly, Gary Pinkel, various fans and media. Curator Sundvold in attendance.
Five minutes out. Mike Kelly will MC the event.
Sarah Reesman and Hank Foley are here, meaning there are more former Interim AD's in attendance than current AD's.
foley talking now: "it's a new day at Mizzou. It's our time to lead."
Sterk: "It's a new time and a new year in Mizzou athletics."
"I'm not from Missouri, but I am now."
Sterk's wife, Debbie, has family in the state and her father grew up in Missouri.
Sterk "I wasn't here for all of that last year, but I do know there are great people here...You can compete for national championships here and I think each of our coaches want to do that."
"The people really make a difference. To meet the people here has continued to validate my decision and my family's decision to come here."
Foley on the process: Selected Todd Turner's search firm quickly (said bringing Kim Anderson was a plus), put together "a very small committee." Said he spoke to Jeremy Foley, the AD at Florida. Foley said that Foley told him he would have no trouble finding good candidates. Said that confidentiality was of the utmost importance. Lists four members of the advisory committee (did not list Jon Sundvold, who ended up not being on it I believe).
Went through names, Todd Turner did the first round of interviews, narrowed it down, won't list the other candidates. Foley did second round of interviews and then moved to final round with Sterk "and other candidates." They met with the committee and Foley, went home and came to the decision to hire Sterk.
Sterk: "Being in San Diego, I kind of felt like I was on vacation every day." Said it took him about 15 minutes to accept Mizzou's offer.
Sterk on the current leadership, interim situation: Said Phil Snowden helped explain the situation and "really gave me confidence of the direction where the University was going." Said Foley did a great job. "I walked out and told Todd Turner, 'I can go to war with that guy.'"
Sterk: "This is a destination spot. I would love to have the tenure of Mike Alden, if you'll have me...We don't jump around. That's not us."
Asked about his age, Sterk said his dad is 91 and has still been driving a truck on the farm the last few years.
"It is a new year, a new day and I have a fresh start." Said a lot of repairs have been done internally by current Mizzou staff.
FOley: "Even when you're permanent you're interim"
Sterk says he will get back to Columbia on August 22nd and start full time.
Foley: "I want to dispel the rumor that I'm going to appoint Truman the Interim Athletic Director."
Sterk on his top priorities says he will meet with staff, prioritize the student-athlete experience. "Meeting as many people as possible" is his top priority.
Among those here so far: R. Bowen Loftin, Barry Odom, Robin Pingeton, Mike Alden, Gary Link, Mike Kelly, Gary Pinkel, various fans and media. Curator Sundvold in attendance.
Five minutes out. Mike Kelly will MC the event.
Sarah Reesman and Hank Foley are here, meaning there are more former Interim AD's in attendance than current AD's.
foley talking now: "it's a new day at Mizzou. It's our time to lead."
Sterk: "It's a new time and a new year in Mizzou athletics."
"I'm not from Missouri, but I am now."
Sterk's wife, Debbie, has family in the state and her father grew up in Missouri.
Sterk "I wasn't here for all of that last year, but I do know there are great people here...You can compete for national championships here and I think each of our coaches want to do that."
"The people really make a difference. To meet the people here has continued to validate my decision and my family's decision to come here."
Foley on the process: Selected Todd Turner's search firm quickly (said bringing Kim Anderson was a plus), put together "a very small committee." Said he spoke to Jeremy Foley, the AD at Florida. Foley said that Foley told him he would have no trouble finding good candidates. Said that confidentiality was of the utmost importance. Lists four members of the advisory committee (did not list Jon Sundvold, who ended up not being on it I believe).
Went through names, Todd Turner did the first round of interviews, narrowed it down, won't list the other candidates. Foley did second round of interviews and then moved to final round with Sterk "and other candidates." They met with the committee and Foley, went home and came to the decision to hire Sterk.
Sterk: "Being in San Diego, I kind of felt like I was on vacation every day." Said it took him about 15 minutes to accept Mizzou's offer.
Sterk on the current leadership, interim situation: Said Phil Snowden helped explain the situation and "really gave me confidence of the direction where the University was going." Said Foley did a great job. "I walked out and told Todd Turner, 'I can go to war with that guy.'"
Sterk: "This is a destination spot. I would love to have the tenure of Mike Alden, if you'll have me...We don't jump around. That's not us."
Asked about his age, Sterk said his dad is 91 and has still been driving a truck on the farm the last few years.
"It is a new year, a new day and I have a fresh start." Said a lot of repairs have been done internally by current Mizzou staff.
FOley: "Even when you're permanent you're interim"
Sterk says he will get back to Columbia on August 22nd and start full time.
Foley: "I want to dispel the rumor that I'm going to appoint Truman the Interim Athletic Director."
Sterk on his top priorities says he will meet with staff, prioritize the student-athlete experience. "Meeting as many people as possible" is his top priority.
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