Dartmouth will not find a replacement for athletic director Josie Harper for at least another year, according to Dean of the College Tom Crady. Harper announced in January that she would retire from the position at the end of June.
"The search for a new permanent AD will not start until at least the summer," he said. "We are not ready to find a replacement for Josie Harper yet."
Crady said that it was important to wait until the College appointed a new president, so that he or she can have input in the process.
"We want the new president involved in the search," he said. "Until a new president is selected, there will be an interim AD."
Crady said the search for the new athletic director would be nationwide and would involve a committee of faculty and students.
"I think that obviously we want students involved in the search," Crady said. "It's important that the students get to have input in hiring someone as important as the AD."
Crady said that he could not disclose who the interim director will be.
Harper took the post as head of the athletic department in 2002.
Before her appointment Harper enjoyed tremendous success during her eleven years as Dartmouth's women's lacrosse team head coach and a number of stints coaching the U.S. national team. She was inducted into the National Lacrosse Hall of Fame in 2006.
"She was a wonderful person to be around, and she was a great asset for the school," Crady said. "It definitely came as a surprise when she retired, but we wish her the best."
In a previous interview with The Dartmouth, Harper, 66, said that her age was a factor in her decision to retire.
