Harold Bardo to serve as interim Director of Athletics
12/05/2014 | 12:00:00 | General
By Rae Goldsmith
Chief Marketing and Communications Officer
CARBONDALE, Ill. - Harold Bardo, who recently retired as director of the SIU Carbondale Medical/Dental Education Preparatory Program and served as faculty representative to the university's athletic program for 15 years, will serve as interim director of intercollegiate athletics effective Jan. 1, 2015, according to SIU President Randy Dunn.
This will be the second time Bardo, who holds three SIU degrees and was a standout athlete in basketball and track, has served in the interim role. He was interim athletic director in 1999 and 2000 prior to the appointment of Paul Kowalczyk.
Bardo directed the School of Medicine's MEDPREP program from 1984 to 1999 and from 2001 until his retirement earlier this year. He has served in a number of other SIU teaching and administrative roles, including working several years as an academic adviser for intercollegiate athletics. He holds bachelor's and doctoral degrees in education from SIU Carbondale and a master's degree in education from SIU Edwardsville.
"Dr. Bardo brings to the role a thorough knowledge of the athletics program, extensive and highly respected administrative experience, and a deep commitment to the university," Dunn said. "We're very grateful that he has agreed to take on this important role once again."
Bardo will serve as interim director during the search for a replacement for Mario Moccia, who has accepted a position at New Mexico State University beginning in January.
"I'm happy that people have faith that I can continue to move this program along," Bardo said. "This program has been a big part of my life, and I'm happy to help wherever I can."
Bardo will be supported in his role by fellow alumnus Doug Woolard, who will serve as a special adviser to help assess the program prior to the appointment of a permanent athletic director.
Dunn said Woolard is expected to explore revenue enhancements and cost controls, represent the program in Missouri Valley Conference negotiations on a pending digital content and production contract, and deal with NCAA legislative proposals, all under Bardo's direction and oversight.
Woolard, former director of intercollegiate athletics for the University of South Florida, is a Carbondale native who was a basketball coach and athletic director for Carbondale High School.
He previously served as assistant and associate director of athletics at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, and as director of athletics at Saint Louis University before his appointment as director of intercollegiate athletics at the University of South Florida in 2004. He served in that role until earlier this year, and his contract with USF ends in June 2015.
"Dr. Bardo's internal knowledge of the program will be complemented by the external insights of Doug Woolard, who has relevant experience at multiple institutions, has been active with the NCAA and is equally committed the success of SIU athletics," Dunn said. "Together, they will help us assess and advance the program to position it for its next permanent director."
Dunn indicated that details regarding Bardo's appointment and Woolard's advising contract are still being finalized, adding that the anticipated total costs will be lower than compensation that would have been paid to Moccia. He added that the search for a permanent director will begin shortly after the new year.
