Neither UALR nor Chris Peterson has provided a reason for his resignation after 14 years as the school's athletic director, but the university released a DVD on Wednesday that contains a two-minute stretch of audio from a recent women's soccer game that appears to connect that event with his decision to step down.
Peterson was overhead in the audio discussing the appearance of a UALR soccer player's mother with at least two other staff members Aug. 22 in the press box at Coleman Sports & Recreation Complex in Little Rock during UALR's season-opening game against Chicago State.
The conversation was recorded by a laptop computer broadcasting live video of the game to online subscribers, and Peterson's comments could be heard over the transmission.
Peterson and the other staff members began talking about a UALR player during the first half of the game, and Peterson brought up the player's mother during the conversation.
"Remember her mom was here a few years ago?" Peterson said in the recording.
One staff member replied that he remembered the player's mother as being "curvier" than the Trojans player.
"Much curvier," Peterson said.
"She had her s*** hanging out, too. Remember that?" Peterson continued. "I've got to make sure we know when Parents Day is. I want to make sure I'm in town for the weekend."
Peterson continued to talk about the appearance of the player's mother, saying "she had two of them, and they were out there. For display."
Peterson resigned Tuesday but did not give a reason for his decision. UALR officials acknowledged Tuesday that Chancellor Joel E. Anderson was conducting a review of an incident that involved Peterson and acknowledged Wednesday that the audio recording was a part of that review.
Peterson did not return a message seeking comment about the audio recording Wednesday but issued a statement through Bill Paschall of Little Rock-based Paschall Strategic Communications. Paschall identified himself as a friend of Peterson.
Peterson acknowledged in the statement that he made "insensitive remarks" during a soccer game that were picked up by an open microphone without his knowledge.
"I have apologized to the parties that may have been offended by my remarks and fully acknowledge my words were insensitive and out of line," the statement said. "I've learned a hard lesson. As I close this chapter, I know going forward that I'll be more thoughtful, sensitive and conscientious of my actions. What my future holds I cannot say, but I'm upbeat, optimistic and ready for the next chapter."
Peterson's statement did not specifically say that the audio recording prompted him to resign, and Paschall said he wasn't sure if that was the reason.
Anderson also issued a statement Wednesday night, but it didn't specifically cite Peterson's comments as the reason for the resignation either.
"What one hears from the director of athletics on the live video transmission of the women's soccer game on August 22 is unacceptable for a person in a university leadership position," Anderson's statement read. "Director Peterson has apologized for it and resigned."
Anderson said he does not expect to comment further on Peterson's resignation.
Peterson's resignation will become official Sept. 15. Judy Williams, UALR's director of communications, said Peterson's final two weeks will be spent on leave.
Anderson said he began discussing choices for an interim athletic director Wednesday and will begin meetings today with coaches and other staff members. Anderson said UALR will announce plans for a search for a new athletic director later this month.
Peterson's resignation letter was sent to Anderson on Tuesday, effectively ending his 14-year run during which the university made advancements in on-campus facilities while its teams achieved sporadic success.
Peterson's tenure was highlighted by the 2005 opening of the Jack Stephens Center, a 5,600-seat on-campus facility for the school's men's and women's basketball teams, its volleyball team and its athletic offices. The facility was made possible by a $22.4 million donation from Jack Stephens.
Since Peterson arrived in 2000, UALR also has made upgrades to Gary Hogan Field, a $1.6 million improvement that included a FieldTurf infield and an indoor practice facility for its baseball team. UALR's latest facilities improvements were at Coleman Sports & Recreation Complex, which provides an on-campus home for its soccer and track and field teams.
Peterson signed a seven-year contract extension March 3, 2011, with an annual salary of $176,524.
Sports on 09/04/2014