YSU, University of Akron or Neither Job for Jim Tressel?
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio -- The boards of trustees of Youngstown State University and the University of Akron each hope to have their next president selected by July 1. Former YSU head football coach Jim Tressel has applied for both positions, and in a statement released to the press Friday afternoon, he offered no hint of which job he would accept if both are offered.
UA appears to be on a faster track with finalists for that job to soon be announced, according to published reports.
On Monday YSU is expected to release the names of applicants for its top job. The deadline to apply is Monday. Tressel. executive vice president for student success at UA, applied Friday for the YSU job, March 21 for the UA job.
"I am respectful of the presidential search process underway at both Youngstown State University and The University of Akron,” he said in a statement. “Both university communities are a very meaningful part of my professional history. I feel grateful that people from both university communities have expressed interest in my application. I believe it's appropriate that I not comment any further during this part of the process."
Tressel coached YSU’s football team from 1986 to 2000, and led the team to four NCAA Division 1-A national champions. He left YSU for the head coaching job at Ohio State, where he let that team to one Division I championship.
Within days of Randy J. Dunn’s unexpected resignation as YSU president, political, business and community leaders across the Mahoning Valley began to publicly endorsed Tressel for YSU’s top job. First out of the gate was a group led by U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan, D-13, who joined the congressman in signing a letter sent to YSU trustees (READ STORY).
Late Friday Ryan released a statement that reflected the fact his district covers stretches from the Mahoning Valley to Akron.
"I am pleased to learn that Jim Tressel has applied to be President of YSU,” Ryan said.
"Because of the departure of Dr. Dunn, YSU faces a unique situation, and I believe Jim Tressel would provide the kind of leadership needed by a major university. I urge both Youngstown State and the University of Akron to seriously consider his candidacy. It is vitally important for us to keep someone with his talent, experience and leadership skills in Northeast Ohio."
BACKGROUND:
20 YSU Foundation Trustees Endorse Jim Tressel
Copyright 2014 The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.
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