Linda Coburn
The position of Athletic Director for Pierce College is up for grabs with Bob Lyons’ decision to return to teaching full-time at the end of the spring season after 11 years in the position.
“Lyons has done the job a long time and it is a demanding job.
“I have great respect for him,” said Nabil Abu-Ghazeleh, vice president of academic affairs.
“It is a demanding responsibility that is not helped by the fact that Pierce doesn’t have full-time coaches.”
Abu-Ghazeleh sent an e-mail to all full time faculty on Thursday informing them of the opening.
“At this time, it is open only to Pierce College full time faculty who can be reassigned to this position,” said Abu-Ghazeleh.
“We’ll see what applications come in and then it will be President Garber’s decision to either appoint somebody or to expand the search.”
Currently, the athletic director is a part-time position.
But Abu-Ghazeleh said that the president is open to proposals on how to expand the responsibilities.
“Given the resources that the college has put into this, and given how few full-timers we’ve had in the past doing regular coaching, suggests that we should pay some attention to this area and start trying to find ways to expand the support we give to the athletics so that we can make sure we have top-notch programs and good competing experience.”
Because the position is only open at this time to full-time faculty, the only current athletic department staffer who would be eligible to apply would be baseball coach Bob Lofrano.
Applications are being accepted through March 22.
Cameron Collard (30), throws a pitch against the Valley College Monarchs during a WSC Southern Division baseball match on Saturday. Valley defeated Pierce with a score of 9-6. (Adrian Sanchez)