Michigan State University Athletics
Recommendation Calls For Underwood Extension
Recommendation Calls For Underwood Extension
Spartan athletics director will remain in his position until the summer of 2002.
Dec. 3, 2000
EAST LANSING, Mich. - Michigan State Athletics Director Clarence Underwood has agreed to extend his tenure. He will remain in his position until the summer of 2002, at which time he will retire from the university, according to a recommendation President Peter McPherson will submit to the Board of Trustees on Friday, Dec. 8.
Underwood, 67, previously had said he would leave the position next August. McPherson said the proposal carries the support of Provost Lou Anna Simon, Vice President for Finance and Operations Fred Poston and coaches throughout the athletics department.
"We are very pleased with the direction and the momentum in our Department of Athletics under Clarence's leadership," McPherson said. "This recommendation allows for the program to continue and for us to take advantage of Clarence's involvement in a process to select a new athletics director, who will succeed him on or before July 1, 2002."
Poston informed the Athletic Council and the athletics director search committee of the proposal Dec. 1.
"This has been an exciting, even historic, period for Spartan athletics," Poston said. "We look forward to Clarence's continuing leadership and his wise counsel when we seek a new director."
Underwood said, "It is meaningful, personally and professionally, to continue serving my alma mater.
"I shall continue working to improve programs to develop of student-athletes to the fullest extent - to be the best we possibly can be."