NIU’s search for a new athletic director has been narrowed to three candidates with a decision expected within the month.

The finalists are Oregon State Senior Associate AD Kevin Anderson, Eastern Washington AD Scott Barnes and Notre Dame Senior Associate AD James Phillips.

The position was made available March 8 when Cary Groth, NIU’s AD for the past 10 years, accepted the same position at the University of Nevada at Reno.

The interview process for the three candidates is expected to be completed today when the last candidate is interviewed. The others were interviewed on Monday and Thursday.

“From there, it’s in the president’s hands to select the best person,” said Vice Provost Earl Seaver, who chaired the committee to select the final three from a pool of more than 70 candidates.

A decision could be made as soon as Aug. 15 but no later than Sept. 1, NIU President John Peters said.

“We have three blue-chip candidates, any one of which would be a fantastic candidate,” Peters said. “I intend to move very rapidly to make an offer.

“We know these individuals very well. Now it’s just a matter of trying to match one of them with NIU.”