Finalists announced for Northeastern State AD spot

Five finalists for the Northeastern State University Director of Athletics position have been announced and public forums will be held throughout April. The candidates include:

• Tony Duckworth
• Mike Powicki
• Keith Hackett
• James Gibson
• Kenneth Brown

Northeastern State is seeking a replacement after former NSU Athletic Director Jeff Konya accepted a similar position at the University of California Bakersfield earlier this year. Profiles and public forum information for each candidate are listed below.

Tony Duckworth
Duckworth has a wide range of experience in his 18 years, ranging from high school, NAIA and Division III coaching to Division II and III administrative work. He is currently guiding Maryville University through the membership process into Division II and has already secured membership in the Great Lakes Valley Conference. Duckworth's coaching experience includes basketball, baseball and golf. He is a member of several professional organizations and has served on NCAA committees. Duckworth also has experience in strategic planning, budget management and fundraising, as well as personnel management. He received his master's degree from the University of Tennessee - Chattanooga and his bachelor's degree in financial management from Bob Jones University.

The public is invited to attend a public forum on Friday, April 1 at 1:30 p.m. in the Webb building room 614.

Mike Powicki
Powicki currently serves as the Assistant Director for Athletics - Development and Strategic Partnerships at Minnesota State University - Mankato. He is responsible for overall leadership and management of revenue generation and marketing operations for the athletic department and for successfully executing MSU-Mankato's $1.9 million athletic department generation plan. Powicki also works closely with the coaches to cultivate donors and alumni for financial support of MSU athletics and is responsible for soliciting and managing the corporate partnerships and contracts for MSU-Mankato's Athletic Department. Powicki has served in this capacity since November, 2008. Prior to his duties at MSU, Powicki served for four years as the Associate Director for Athletics for External Affairs at Upper Iowa University where he served under former NSU Director of Athletics Gil Cloud. He was responsible for marketing and branding of the Upper Iowa Athletics programs and media relations operations. Powicki received his master's degree in sports administration from the University of Wisconsin - La Crosse and his bachelor's degree in exercise science from the University of Iowa.

The public is invited to attend a public forum on Friday, April 8 at 1:30 p.m. in the Webb building room 614.

Keith Hackett
Hackett brings 14 years of administrative service, including the past seven years as the Senior Associate Athletic Director for the University of Nevada, to his bid for NSU's AD position. His current duties include being a member of the senior management team with oversight of football, baseball, track and field, strategic plan administrator and donor cultivation and solicitation. Hackett also is a member of the faculty senate at the University of Nevada and provides oversight to facility master planning, internal affairs, budget development and events management. He also served from 1997 to 2004 as the Executive Vice President - Special Projects for St. Gregory's University in Shawnee, OK where he presided over the transition from a two-year to a four-year institution. Hackett received his master's degree in exercise science from the University of Kansas and his bachelor's degree in teacher education from Tarkio College.

The public is invited to attend a public forum on Wednesday, April 13 at 1:30 p.m. in the University Center Dogwood Room.

James Gibson
Gibson has spent the past 3 1/2 years as the Assistant Athletic Director for Business and Finance at the University of Montana. He serves as the Chief Financial Officer in a leadership role as part of the management team in the athletics department relating to budget, financial management, contracts and personnel administration. He also manages and supervises the daily operation of the athletic business office and athletic equipment center. Gibson ensures that all business and financial guidelines of the department are in full compliance with university, state and NCAA guidelines. Gibson also served as the Assistant Athletic Director at Tarleton State University for one year and as Associate Director of Athletics at Texas A&M Commerce for three years. Prior to 2004, Gibson held the positions of Emergency Medical Service Coordinator and Athletic Business Manager/Clinical Instructor at Texas A&M and West Texas A&M universities, respectively. Gibson received his master's degree in sports and exercise science from West Texas A&M University, his bachelor's degree in sports and exercise science from West Texas A&M University and his associate degree in physical education from Frank Phillips College.

The public is invited to attend a public forum on Friday, April 22 at 1:30 p.m. in the Webb building room 614.

Kenneth Brown
Brown currently serves as the Athletic Director at Lambuth University where he provides leadership for an athletic program that sponsors 11 sports and manages a budget of over $4 million. He is also helping in transitioning Lambuth University to NCAA Division II. From 1991 to 2007, Brown was the Deputy Athletic Director at Ball State University where he served as the Chief Financial Officer and oversaw the internal operations of the athletic department. He has served in the absence of the athletic director at Ball State. Brown received his master's degree in sports administration from Ohio University and also holds a master's degree in educational administration from Xavier University as well as his bachelor's degree in mathematics from Eastern Kentucky University.

The public is invited to attend a public forum on Friday, April 29 at 1:30 p.m. in the Webb building room 614.

NSU enrolls over 9,600 students on campuses in Tahlequah, Muskogee and Broken Arrow. The NCAA Division II institution has 10 varsity athletic programs with about 250 student-athletes.