Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, May 13, 1993 TAG: 9305130023
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: By SCOTT BLANCHARD STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Interviews Wednesday with several people who met with Braine during his visit to Ames, Iowa, revealed that those with a preference labeled Braine the most attractive candidate, although North Carolina State associate athletic director Nora Lynn Finch and Eastern Michigan athletic director Gene Smith also received high marks.
Braine's eight years of experience as an athletic director - the past five-plus in Division I-A - his participation of Tech's successful fund-raising drive for athletics and the impression he made during his interview were praised. The only apparent reservation was that Tech's football and basketball programs have not won consistently.
Asked if Braine's experience and fund-raising record made him the top choice, Iowa State football coach Jim Walden said: "I would think so. That would put him in high stead. . . . He's in damn good shape to bargain."
"Nobody has told me that," Braine said. "They weren't prepared to do anything right now, and I'm sure not prepared to do anything right now. They said they would get back to me."
Gary Thompson, a prominent Iowa State contributor who dined with Braine on Monday, said he was impressed by Braine.
"I think he's a fine person and a top-rated candidate, one I'd like to see here at Iowa State," said Thompson, also a basketball color announcer on Raycom telecasts. "Right now, I'd say he would be my candidate."
Another Iowa State contributor, Ron McMillen, was reluctant to pick from the three candidates.
"I would say [Braine] is running very strong," said McMillen, who owns a printing and publishing company in Ames. "He's definitely in a race to the finish on the thing."
Search committee member Sheila Lundt, assistant city manager of Ames, said Braine is "as attractive" as the other two candidates, but she said Braine has an edge in experience and that his management skills were strengthened because of the Hokies' divergent conference affiliations.
Iowa State executive vice president for student affairs Tom Thielen, who had lunch with Braine on Tuesday, said the sixth-year Tech athletic director "left a pretty good impression."
"I was very pleased," Thielen said.
Lundt said the decision may come down to which candidate President Martin Jischke "feels most comfortable with." Jischke did not return a phone message Wednesday.
Those interviewed praised Finch for her vision, marketing ideas, experience in working with an at-times troubled program and her sensitivity to Title IX and how it would affect money-makers football and men's basketball. Smith, an athletic director since 1985, is impressive for his marketing know-how, improved fund-raising at Eastern Michigan, an improved football team and a willingness to make tough decisions, Lundt said.
Increased fund-raising to improve athletic facilities is a pressing need at the Big Eight Conference school, interviewees said. Lundt said the school wants an athletic director with a "proven track record in leading a winning [overall] program; someone . . . committed to building a good staff; and takes seriously the implementation and impact of gender equity."
Thompson said the new athletic director may be involved in major-sports coaching changes, too. He said successful basketball coach Johnny Orr is expected to resign at the end of his contract in two years and that Walden's football team, 25-39-2 in six seasons, must improve.
Iowa State is replacing Max Urick, whose contract expires June 30. Executive vice president Reid Crawford, who oversees the athletic department, said the school wants a new athletic director "very soon." Lundt said Iowa State could announce its choice in five to 10 days.
by CNB