Proctor named FSU interim athletic director

Proctor named FSU interim athletic director



Florida Times-Union and Wire Reports
Publication Date: 10/27/07


TALLAHASSEE -- State Rep. William L. Proctor (R-St. Augustine) was named interim athletics director of Florida State University about noon Friday by FSU President T.K. Wetherell.

In a prepared release, Wetherell said, "Bill Proctor is the perfect person for this assignment, based on his strong financial management skills and impeccable academic credentials. His leadership will be invaluable as we work through athletics (and) academic issues with the NCAA."

The post became vacant with the "reluctant" resignation of Athletics Director Dave Hart, 58, who will end his 13-year tenure at the end of the year.

Hart, who made $650,000 annually, reached a "mutually acceptable and amicable" separation agreement Thursday and will receive a lump-sum $475,000 payment in addition to the balance of an annuity fund maintained by the FSU Foundation.

Proctor, 74, is the Flagler College chancellor and second-term legislator in the Florida House of Representatives. He has three degrees from FSU including a Ph.D in education administration and played on the 1955 football team.

He later served as an assistant coach and mentor to young Seminole assistant coach Bobby Bowden. Proctor also served as dean of men at FSU and was inducted in the FSU Athletics Hall of Fame in 1988.

He takes his post Nov. 5.

His level of compensation for the job was not mentioned in Wetherell's release.

Under an agreement with Wetherell and the university, Proctor will not be a candidate for the permanent athletics director position, the release said.

"I look forward to serving with President Wetherell and my alma mater in this important role," Proctor said.

He will remain chancellor of Flagler College. He also served on the Florida Education Standards Commission from 1995 to 2000 and on the state's Board of Education from 2001 to 2004.

Proctor is the current vice chairman of the FSU Athletics Committee and chairman of its executive committee.

Wetherell said Proctor is a highly respected educator who will provide "strong and steady direction" while the university begins a national search for a director of athletics.

"Bill's experience as a coach, teacher, administrator and longtime leader within higher education is just what we need now," Wetherell said.

In the Legislature, Proctor chairs the Committee on Tourism and Trade and the Select Committee to Protect Personal Information. He also serves on the Committee on Postsecondary Education and on the Schools & Learning Council, as well as the Economic Expansion and Infrastructure Council.

Wetherell said Proctor's "strong connection to the university ... will ensure a professional and successful transition to a new athletics director."


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