When NIU Athletic Director Cary Groth announced March 8 that she would take the athletic director position at the University of Nevada at Reno, NIU decided it needed a replacement. At the head of that decision is NIU President John Peters. As Peters works on a plan of finding a replacement, the Northern Star sat down with him to see how the search is going.

Northern Star: What kind of national athletic director do you expect to be attracted to a mid-major like NIU?

President John Peters: I don’t like the term mid-major because we’ve shown with football that we’re a national program. I think it’s a very desirable job. I first want to talk to our athletic people to find what they need. As to the kind of person and what characteristics are needed, I am very confident we can attract that person. I know a lot of people, almost all of the commissioners, so I’m ready for this.

NS What is being done now in the replacement process?

JP: I am beginning to meet privately in about 20-minute periods of time with everyone in the athletics department. I want to sit down and talk to them on their opinion of the characteristics they want in an athletic director and a possible interim.

NS: What’s next?

JP: I’m contemplating bringing in a consultant to give some advice on our athletics program. Then, I’ll panel a small search committee – according to our bylaws – and I’m anticipating using a search firm. I’ve spent a lot of time on this.

NS: Was Groth’s leaving unexpected?

JP: No, she has a very good national reputation, and it is a small community of athletic directors. Her national visibility was shown by her exceptional service on the Title IX position.The hiring of coach [Rob] Judson, our football team’s success and the reputation of NIU’s athletics balance with integrity. My guess is that she’s been nominated for every open athletic position in the country. Was I surprised? No, because I know her quality. Was I pleased? No. We had extended her contract last year; we tried to keep her here.

NS: You said the search for a replacement athletic director was a national search. Does that rule out a promotion from within?

JP: When I say national, that includes some of the very fine people we have on campus. We have a national program, and we’re going to go out there to find the best person in the country to take us to the next level. That person may be right here at NIU.

NS: How big of a loss is Groth leaving?

JP: I think Cary Groth is one of the finest people that I’ve met and is a great representative of NIU and will continue to hold NIU in high regard.

NS: In any way is it a positive statement about NIU that Groth and several NIU football coaches have moved on to other schools?

JP: Absolutely. It’s a little painful on our end, but what does it tell you? Everybody knows the excellence that is here. I would like to stem that excellence a little bit, but it’s a very competitive market.