Darrell Morris
(308) 865-8033
The University of Nebraska at Kearney has narrowed its search for a Director of Athletics to three candidates who will visit the campus for further interviews in early June. The finalists are:
Jon McBride, who is currently Assistant Athletics Director for External Affairs at the University of Florida. Mr. McBride has also held administrative posts in athletics at St. Louis University, Louisiana State University, and Ohio University. He has a bachelor’s degree in radio-television management and a master’s degree in sports administration from Ohio University. He resides in Gainesville, Florida.
Larry Ivy, who since 1976 has held a succession of athletics administrative posts at the University of Kentucky and served as Athletics Director there from 2000-02. Earlier he was Director of Housing at UK as well. Mr. Ivy has bachelor’s and master’s degrees in business administration from the University of Alabama. He resides in Lexington, Kentucky.
Tom Kropp, who since March 2002 has been UNK’s Interim Athletics Director. An outstanding collegiate and professional athlete, Kropp has been assistant, co-head, and head basketball coach at UNK since 1983. He also holds an appointment as Assistant Professor of Physical Education. He has a doctorate in education from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. He resides in Kearney.
In announcing the finalists, UNK Chancellor Gladys Styles Johnston said, “Our screening committee, chaired by coaches Amy Stephens and Darrell Morris, has worked very hard and has clearly done a great job. These are outstanding candidates, and my colleagues and I look forward to our upcoming discussions with them.”
Programs for the candidates’ campus visits will be finalized in the near future. They will include meetings with Chancellor Johnston and Chancellor-designate Doug Kristensen, other campus leaders, coaches, and administrative staff as well as community representatives.
