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�鶹���� has announced that it has retained Collegiate Sports Associates (CSA) to assist in the search for its next athletic director. CSA, a leading executive search firm specializing in the sports industry, will work closely with the university to identify and attract top-tier candidates for the position.

"We are thrilled to partner with Collegiate Sports Associates on this important search," said Dr. Fred Whitt, president of �鶹����. "CSA’s expertise in the field of athletic administration will be invaluable as we seek a visionary and strategic leader to guide our athletics program."

In addition to selecting CSA, the university has also named a search committee to oversee the process. The committee will work closely with CSA to ensure that the search process is transparent, inclusive, and aligned with the university's goals. The committee will be chaired by Andy Anderson, senior executive director of development and a former �鶹���� student-athlete, and includes the following members: 

CSA will conduct a comprehensive search process that includes identifying potential candidates, conducting interviews, and providing recommendations to the university's search committee. The firm's goal is to find an athletic director who aligns with �鶹����'s mission and values, and who can effectively lead the university's athletic programs to an even higher level of excellence. CSA has helped in more than 75 NCAA athletic director searches, including recent projects at institutions such as Elon, Tulane, Ohio State, James Madison, UNC-Greensboro, Wake Forest, Furman, and Richmond, among others.

“We are excited to partner with President Whitt and �鶹���� on this critical search project. �鶹���� and its athletics department is one of the preeminent programs at the NCAA Division II level,” said Drew Turner, president of CSA, who will lead the search. “As a North Carolina-based company, we are well aware of what Bear Athletics means to the institution, its alumni and the entire Hickory community. We are honored to support the search for �鶹����’s next AD and look forward to a successful result.”