Southeast Missouri State University taps John Shafer as new athletic director

John Shafer said last week during his on-campus visit to Southeast Missouri State University that his first mission if he was hired as athletic director was going to be a change of attitude.

He may be well on his way in step one.

Shafer on Tuesday was named the new athletic director at Southeast and will begin his duties Feb. 1. He was not available to the media, but some athletes, coaches and administrators at the university were pleased with the news and embracing the new attitude.

"His speech alone to the coaches got me really motivated," Southeast volleyball coach Renata Nowacki said in reference to last week's candidate interviews. "I was talking with my colleagues after the coaches meeting and I said, 'If we hire this man, this is for real, we are going to go in the right direction.' He is a stand-up guy. As a coaching staff, you can't help but buy into it."

Shafer is on board with a 3 1/2-year contract through the 2011-2012 academic year. He will be paid $120,000 annually and also receive $20,000 per year to purchase an annuity.

The former athletic director, Don Kaverman, was paid a base of just more than $99,450 with an annual annuity of $14,000 when his contract was renewed in June 2005.

Kaverman was terminated Oct. 9 with 120 days' notice, the same day the university announced its men's basketball program was the subject of an NCAA investigation and men's basketball coach Scott Edgar was paid on administrative leave. Kaverman is on administrative leave through Feb. 7.

Edgar's current contract -- a five-year deal through 2011 -- is the department's most lucrative with a base of $122,700, plus the $20,000 annual annuity, incentives and supplements.

Shafer, 62, has been working in semiretirement with a commercial development firm in Auburn, Ala., where he went to college for his bachelor's and master's degrees and where he took his first administrative job. He was an associate athletic director at Georgia from 1982 to 1998, was AD at Mississippi from 1998 to 2002 and AD at Ohio Valley Conference foe Eastern Kentucky for 19 months from 2003 to 2004. He left the position citing medical problems and has been out of intercollegiate athletics since.

"I am very pleased with John's breadth of experience and the caliber of his credentials to move our program forward and into the future," university president Dr. Ken Dobbins said in a release from the school.

Shafer was a finalist along with Michael Waddell, currently the senior associate AD at the University of Cincinnati. University of Missouri-Kansas City AD Timothy Hall also was a finalist but withdrew from the process before his on-campus visit last week.

Waddell did not return messages after the announcement was made. While working on seating arrangements Tuesday morning for Cincinnati's upcoming Orange Bowl appearance, Waddell said he enjoyed the experience and that Bill Carr, a consultant who conducted the search, did a great job.

Waddell, 39, also had been a finalist at Northern Iowa earlier this year.

"I was impressed with all the candidates, especially the finalists," said Kendall Magana, a senior football player who was a member of the search committee.

Waddell had said during his interview process that he fully expected to exceed the five-year commitment sought by the university, which came to a shorter deal with Shafer.

The university also has advertised for an associate AD for external affairs to assist with marketing and fundraising. While the search for that newly created position likely will move forward with Shafer hired, board of regents member Jim Limbaugh didn't see that process as hiring an heir apparent.

"I think, frankly, it would be premature saying that," Limbaugh said. "I don't think I'd read into anything in the length of the contract. I don't think you can make a connection there."

Shafer had discussed the associate AD job back in the summer with Dobbins and toured some of the facilities with Kaverman, but he sensed his presence would not be problematic for the staff as the president's relationship with Kaverman was eroding.

"John is going to come in and get a good lay of the land. He's a relationship guy," Limbaugh added. "This was a huge opportunity for us to bring in a guy who has a great level of experience and stability and has a high energy level. I have great respect for and am inspired by his networking opportunities in the industry and ability to find good coaching talent and retain it."

In the university news release, Shafer, who will be available to the media today, said he planned to come in and get to know the people he will be working with.

"I plan to come in and really be visible, especially in the community," he said in the release.

tcarrig@semissourian.com

388-3630

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