Viking_Yearbook_95

Tanuarv 24, 1995_____Daily Vanguard________Paul Laak P SU Athletic Director Randy Nordlof has tendered his resignation and will take over the position of general manager for the Portland Pride soccer team. "It fulfills a lot of dreams of mine/' said Nordlof at a press conference Tuesday. "It was strictly a personal move." Associate Athletic Director Teri Mariani will act as interim director until a search for a replacement can be completed. "Once we know what direction we will initiate a search for a new Athletic Director," said PSU President Judith Ramaley in a press release. PSU has to decide whether to apply for Big Sky Conference teams to compete in Division I, except for football which is Division lAA. Conference teams include the Universities of Montana, Idaho, and Eastern Washington. "I am confident PSU is ready to take the next step and look at the Big Sky. If this happens it will allow them to bring in an athletic director to develop their staff and head that direction," Nordlof said. Among Nordlof's last tasks to complete are next year's football schedule, and submission of the Athletics' budget to the IFC. His resignation takes effect on February 13. Nordlof took over as PSU's athletic director on July 1, 1992. His accomplishments include the reduction of the athletic deficit from $1.5 million to $900,000. He said he was proud of the quality of coaching staff and athletes at PSU. "Under his leadership, we have consistently participated in post-season play in several sports, have steadily enhanced the academic opportunities for our student athletes, and have developed new ways for student athletes to provide much-needed service to the community and to encourage young people to do well in school," Ramaley said. Nordlof's announcement comes five months before the Pride's first game on July 24 against Seattle's new expansion team. He sees ownership of the leagues' teams and the salary cap as attributes to the continuation of the Continential Indoor Soccer League. The Pride's new ownership offered the general manager position to Nordlof in hopes of utilizing his marketing experience to focus on the youth audience and the excitement of indoor soccer. Nordlof said he will continue to support his alma mater. "I leave PSU with great memories of the program and am confident they will succeed in the future."