May 25, 2004

LOGAN, Utah - Three candidates for Athletic Director at Utah State University from schools including the U.S. Air Force Academy, Michigan State University and the University of Kentucky have been invited to visit the campus sometime in early June.

The candidates, out of a pool of more than 60, are Randall Spetman, Chris Ritrievi and Greg Byrne.

Bringing candidates to campus is an important step in the search process that permits all parties to fully understand the responsibilities and opportunities associated with the position, said Ken White, faculty member and faculty athletic representative, who chairs the seven-member search committee.

Spetman, who was with the Air Force in Colorado Springs as Athletic Director from 1995 until the fall of 2003, earned a bachelor's degree in civil engineering from the Air Force Academy and a master's degree in management and supervision from Central Michigan University.

Ritrievi has been associate Athletic Director & Director of Development from 1999 at Michigan State University. He earned a bachelor's degree in economics from Princeton University and an MBA from Lehigh University. He was Director of Athletics at University of Northern Iowa from 1992-1999. Prior to that, he was Associate AD at Stanford University.

Byrne has been Associate AD, Development & Fund Raising since 2002 at the University of Kentucky. He worked as Associate AD, Development at Oregon State University from 1998-2002. He was Director of Development at the University of Oregon from 1995-1998.

Other committee members include Dan Cox, Utah State Big Blue Club president; Jimi Jorgensen, Associated Students of Utah State University athletic vice president; Raegan Pebley, Utah State women's basketball coach; Phil Olsen, Utah State graduate, businessman and former NFL player; Jodi Bailey, Utah State director of internal audits; and Randy Talbot, Utah State vice president for Advancement.

The position, which is expected to be filled before July, has been open since early April when Rance Pugmire resigned. On Feb. 19, Pugmire was placed on an administrative leave of absence for up to 60 days in connection with his arrest on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol.

Fred Hunsaker, retired vice president of Administrative Services, will continue to serve as acting athletic director until the position is filled.