New AD candidate emerges

 
Nearly one year after the arrest of former Athletic Director Greg LaFleur and a focused search for a full-time replacement, the Southern University Board of Supervisors Athletic Committee today seek to appoint an athletics director for Southern University at Baton Rouge.
Former Centenary College AD William Broussard is up for the appointment on the agenda of the Athletic Committee meeting, which is scheduled to begin at 3:30 p.m. in the Board of Supervisors’ Meeting Room at the J.S. Clark Administration Building.
“He brings a strong academic record and solid record of fundraising. He is young and energetic. He is committed to athletics and academics,” SUBR Chancellor James Llorens said.
Former candidates in the search included former Southern AD Floyd Kerr, Paula Jackson, assistant director of athletics for compliance at Alabama State and John Robinson, executive director of student enhancement services at Texas Southern.
“The board will be looking at Broussard’s academic qualifications and his potential in the position, ” Llorens said.
The athletic committee must recommend Broussard’s appointment and review his resume and letter of intent for the athletic director position.
“I am expecting a strong fundraising effort, for him to be proactive in raising funds. A strong emphasis on academics to work towards improving APR and for a structural analysis to increase our academic structure for our student athletes,” Llorens said.
SU Student Government Association President and BOS student member Demetrius Sumner is the vice-chairman of the committee that will deliberate the appointment.
“He seems like he’s young and experienced and competent for the leadership in the athletic department. I think he is exactly what we at Southern University athletics at this time,” Sumner said.
Llorens submitted a letter to SU System President Ronald Mason concerning his recommendation of Broussard as a candidate.
“During this process I focused on identifying a candidate that, through experience and training, would come to Southern University prepared to address critical areas of student-athlete academic support, external fundraising and NCAA compliance,” Llorens said, in his recommendation to Mason.
Broussard’s letter of intent presented to the board, reiterated the concerns of Chancellor Llorens in his pursuit for the position.
According to Broussard’s letter, “critical times seek capable leadership in order to convert crises into opportunities, and I am determined to do so at your prestigious institution.”
In the letter Broussard described his tenure at Centenary and Northwestern State University – his alma mater – and his experiences cutting budgets and his involvement in NCAA processes.
“During my tenure at NSU, my staff and I focused on creating a culture of not only asking for support, but demonstrating the need, value, and pride donors can feel in giving through a comprehensive public relations campaign,” Broussard said in his letter of intent.
Broussard included his contributions to prepare and manage “deliverables” with proposals for corporate, foundation and government grants.
“I will bring these abilities to bear for Southern University Athletics, ensuring that private, corporate, and community supporters have opportunities to interact with and show support,” Broussard cited in his letter of intent.
Broussard declined to comment until after the decision by the board is made.
Broussard’s background includes member of All Century Football Team (NSU), National Football Foundation College Football Hall of Fame (1999), and Issues in Black Higher Education “Arthur Ashe Scholar-Athlete” (1999).