Grambling State University President Rick Gallot has named a search committee to identify the institution’s next permanent athletic director. The thirteen members include alumni, community, faculty and student representatives.
The search ended Friday (Sept. 30), and 24 candidates submitted applications. The committee will meet soon to start the process of considering each applicant and to determine next steps. “I want the best candidate for the job, and I am confident that the committee will recommend a candidate who shares my bold vision for the future of athletics at Grambling State University,” said Gallot.
David Aubrey, a 1995 GSU graduate and state director of external affairs for AT&T Louisiana, is chair of the 13-person committee. The group includes GSU and NBA legend Willis Reed and GSU and NCAA legendary baseball coach Wilbert Ellis. Former GSU and NBA standout Aaron James and GSU and NFL standout Al Dennis will also serve.
Leon Sanders, vice president for finance and administration, joins Bobby Burkes, GSU faculty athletics representative, and GSU Student Government Association President Michael Meadows as campus representatives. Cathy Conwright, a 1981 graduate and vice president of the Dallas Alumni Chapter of the Grambling University National Alumni Association (GUNAA), will also assist with the search.
Community representatives include Jerry Baldwin, pastor of New Living Word Ministries and a former football coach at Louisiana State University, Louisiana Tech University and the University of Louisiana at Lafayette (ULL); Ray Higgins, editor of gogrambling.com and a local entrepreneur; Jim Oakes, former athletic director at Louisiana Tech, and Lanie Domier, chair of the kinesiology department at Louisiana Tech.
“We have a strong committee who have great experience and backgrounds in athletics,” said Gallot. “I am confident that the diversity and individual strengths of the members will provide the appropriate vetting of candidates in this process.”
GSU Athletic Director Search Committee
| David Aubrey | Committee chair, state director of external affairs, AT&T Louisiana |
| Lanie Dornier | Chair, Kinesiology Department, Louisiana Tech University |
| Willis Reed | Grambling State University alumnus, retired New York Knicks player and NBA executive |
| Wilbert Ellis | Grambling State University alumnus |
| Ray Higgins | Editor, gogrambling.com and Grambling entrepreneur |
| Jim Oakes | Former athletic director, Louisiana Tech University |
| Jerry Baldwin | Pastor, New Living Word Ministries, Ruston |
| Leon Sanders | Grambling State University vice president for finance and administration |
| Cathy Conwright | Vice president, Grambling University National Alumni Association Dallas Chapter |
| Aaron James | Former athletic director, Grambling State University |
| Michael Meadows | President, Grambling State University Student Government Association |
| Bobby Burkes | Faculty athletic representative, Grambling State University |
| Albert Dennis | Former athletic director, Grambling State University |
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