John Shafer , the former director of athletics at Eastern Kentucky University and the University of Mississippi, has been named director of athletics at Southeast Missouri State University.
Shafer will begin his new duties at Southeast Feb. 1. He replaces Don Kaverman who was relieved of his athletic director duties Oct. 9 and placed on administrative leave.
The other finalist for the position was Michael Waddell, senior associate director of athletics at the University of Cincinnati, who visited campus Dec. 12. Timothy Hall, director of athletics at the University of Missouri-Kansas City, had been named a finalist for the position but withdrew from the search Dec. 10 and did not participate in an on-campus public forum.
Shafer told me that he has great respect for Dr. Kenneth W. Dobbins and has experience with the OVC (Ohio Valley Conference). His first job will be getting to know the staff and student athletes, before plunging into the recruiting and probation issues that have plagued the Southeast basketball programs.
Listen to my full interview with Shafer.
Download/listen to John Shafer (5:25 mp3)
