UALR Athletic Director Chris Peterson resigned Tuesday, the same day a university spokesman acknowledged a review by the school's chancellor involving Peterson.
Peterson, who arrived at UALR in 2000, will continue to serve as athletic director until Sept. 15, when he will end a tenure that saw the school make significant strides in the improvement of on-campus facilities while its athletic teams experienced sporadic success.
Chris Peterson at a glance
AGE 62
SCHOOL UALR
POSITION Athletic Director
EDUCATION Wisconsin-Milwaukee, 1977
HOMETOWN Huron, S.D.
PREVIOUS POSTS Creighton (1997-2000), Pinnacle Sports Productions (1996-1997), Nebraska (1992-1996), Kansas State (1988-1992), Pacific (Unknown-1988).
NOTABLE Helped UALR secure $22.4 million donation to open the Jack Stephens Center. … Helped bring the NCAA Division I basketball tournament to North Little Rock’s Alltel Arena. … UALR was one of 12 NCAA Division I schools to have its men’s basketball, women’s basketball and baseball teams reach the NCAA Tournament in 2011. … Has overseen facilities improvements for baseball, men’s and women’s basketball, volleyball, track and field and soccer programs. … Served as assistant football coach at several schools before entering athletic administration.
"I have been blessed to have spent the past 14 years working at UALR," Peterson told the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette on Tuesday night in a prepared statement that he read over the telephone. "The loyal fan base, administrators and student-athletes will always remain dear to my heart.
"My wife and I wish them all nothing but the best, and we are excited to begin the next chapter in our lives."
Peterson, 62, gave no reason for his resignation in his letter to Chancellor Joel E. Anderson, nor did he during the telephone conversation with the Democrat-Gazette.
"Probably going to start a dog-walking business," Peterson said jokingly in regard to his future plans.
Anderson's acceptance of Peterson's resignation did not cite a reason, either. Neither letter indicated if or when Anderson would appoint an interim athletic director after Peterson's departure, and a university spokesman said Anderson wasn't available for an interview.
"Thank you for your contributions to the university and to the UALR Department of Athletics, and best wishes in your future endeavors," Anderson wrote to Peterson in a letter dated Tuesday.
A UALR spokesman told the Democrat-Gazette earlier Tuesday that the chancellor was reviewing an Aug. 22 event that involved Peterson. Although the spokesman did not disclose the nature of the event, UALR director of communications Judy Williams said "the chancellor is aware of an event that happened a week ago Friday and he is reviewing that event."
There was no indication in either letter if that review is what led to Peterson's resignation. When asked about the review Tuesday night, Peterson said, "I have no idea."
Peterson's contract with UALR runs until June 30, 2018, after he signed an extension March 3, 2011. His annual salary is $176,524, according to that contract.
Peterson's resignation follows a summer of turmoil for UALR athletics, most of which involved the school's baseball program.
In April, an assistant baseball coach resigned and accused then-coach Scott Norwood of physical and sexual harassment, allegations that sparked a formal investigation by the school's Department of Human Resources. The investigation found no wrongdoing on Norwood's part and the coach was cleared in May.
Eventually, Norwood resigned June 9, citing a desire to pursue other interests. Four days later, the sports website Deadspin.com released an audio tape of a profanity-laced tirade said to be of Norwood berating his players in the locker room.
The tape was sent to Deadspin in an email from an address identified as belonging to Don Hudson. The email made numerous accusations against the UALR baseball program, which included Norwood abusing players and assistant coaches breaking NCAA rules.
UALR has self-reported some violations to the NCAA, and June 20 it hired The Compliance Group, headed by former NCAA director of enforcement Chuck Smrt, to conduct an independent investigation into the allegations. A conclusion has not been announced.
Peterson arrived at UALR in 2000 when the Trojans men's basketball team played its games at Alltel Arena in North Little Rock and the women's basketball team played on campus at Trojan Fieldhouse. Since then, both programs have moved on campus to the 5,600-seat Jack Stephens Center.
The Stephens Center opened in 2005 thanks in large part to a $22.4 million donation from Jack Stephens, which is still the largest gift ever received by the university. Peterson also helped secure a $1.6 million gift from an anonymous donor to help renovate Gary Hogan Field for the baseball team. The project included a FieldTurf infield, a new lighting system and an indoor practice facility.
In 2012, UALR unveiled the Coleman Sports & Recreation Complex as the new home for its soccer and track and field programs.
In 2003, Peterson promoted Steve Shields to head men's basketball coach and hired Joe Foley as its women's basketball coach. Foley has turned the Trojans into one of the Sun Belt Conference's most consistent women's programs while winning 20 or more games in 2006-2013. His teams reached the NCAA Tournament in 2010, 2011 and 2012 and made WNIT appearances in 2008, 2009 and 2013.
Perhaps UALR's best athletic season came in 2010-2011, when the men's basketball team, the women's basketball team and the baseball team all won Sun Belt Conference tournament titles and advanced to their respective NCAA tournaments, one of only 12 Division I schools to do so that year.
Sports on 09/03/2014