University of Cincinnati deputy director of athletics Bob Arkeilpane has withdrawn his name from consideration for the Missouri State University director of athletics search.  Search committee chair Brent Dunn said Arkeilpane notified him Wednesday of his decision.

Dunn said he wasn’t given specific reasons from Arkeilpane why he was withdrawing from consideration, but Dunn felt that they left a good impression on him.

With the June 30 retirement of long-time AD Bill Rowe, MSU is seeking a new athletics director for the first time since 1982.   Arkeilpane was the first of five finalists to interview for the position. Since his visit to Springfield, April 26-28, three other candidates…Rick Darnell, Mike Marlow and Don Oberhelman…have followed Arkeilpane to campus for interviews. Kyle Moats, from Louisville, will be the final candidate to interview for the position, May 17-19, including a public forum at 4:30 p.m. on May 18 at the Plaster Student Union Theater.