ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Monday, July 1, 1996 TAG: 9607010139
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-3 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: RAY COX STAFF WRITER
Steve Nelson, an associate athletic director at Clemson University who was one of five finalists for the Radford University AD position, has folded his candidacy.
Nelson said that he had two reasons for withdrawing that emerged last week after discussions with university president Douglas Covington and vice president for student affairs Paul Harris, who is spearheading the interview process.
``First, I had asked for a multi-year contract and second, I had asked that more money be put into recruiting budgets,'' Nelson said. ``They said that they would not be able to do either of those things.''
Nelson's decision apparently was hastened by the knowledge that both Radford basketball coaches, Ron Bradley for the men and Lubomyr Lichonczak for the women, had signed three-year deals this year.
Nelson praised Radford and those whom he talked to there.
``I think being athletic director there will be a great opportunity for somebody,'' he said.
Nelson's withdrawal leaves Radford associate AD Greig Denny, Lamar AD Michael O'Brien, Moorhead (Minn.) State AD Katy Wilson, and Texas Woman's College AD Judy Southard in the chase.
Harris said the university was disappointed at Nelson's decision. He also confirmed the sticking points on the contract and recruiting budgets.
``We are not in a position to offer a multi-year contract right now,'' he said. ``And the money we have to put into athletics at this time already is being put there.''
Last week Harris said that he thought there would be an announcement about the new athletic director the week of July 8. He has since revised his thinking.
``I think it's going to be sooner than that.''
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