Dr. Paul Conn, Lee University President, released the names of the search committee for the vacant men’s basketball position on Tuesday afternoon. Current plans call for the three finalists, selected by the committee, to be on the president’s desk by the end of March.

The search committee will consist of current Lee administrators and coaches and three members from the local community.

The committee will be headed by Lee athletic director Larry Carpenter. He will be joined by Andrea Hudson, senior women’s administrator and assistant athletic director; Phil Cook, vice president of enrollment; Cole Strong, assistant vice president for operations; Marty Rowe, head women’s basketball coach; George Starr, sports information director; Mike Seago, Paul Cretton, and Bob Varner.

Seago has enjoyed a successful business career including an executive position at M&M Mars. After retiring from the local company, he has taught as an adjunct professor in the Department of Business at Lee and a popular instructor in the school’s “Encore” program. He is an avid supporter of Lee athletic teams and a member of the Flames Club.

Cretton came to Lee as a recruit for the men’s basketball team. After two years as a member of the Vikings, he received his degree from Lee in 1981. He went on to serve in several coaching roles at Bradley Central for 19 years before moving to Walker Valley High School where he was athletic director and later promoted to assistant principal. He returned to Lee as an assistant men’s basketball coach and after one year became Lee’s first full-time compliance director. He is currently the head girls’ basketball coach at Walker Valley.

Varner is a former captain of the Lee basketball team who played for the Lee Vikings from 1964-66. He has continued to be a loyal supporter of Lee basketball over the years. A native of Pennsylvania, Varner returned to his home state after graduation for Lee, and served there as a pastor for over forty years.  He has recently moved back to Cleveland after his retirement.

“This committee gives us a good balance of people who understand basketball and also who understand the special advantages and pressures of coaching in the Lee University environment,” said Dr. Conn as he reviewed the committee. “I am especially grateful for the three members from outside the Lee staff:  Mike Seago, Bob Varner, and Paul Cretton.  They are very knowledgeable men, and I think they will bring important perspectives to the committee.”

Conn pointed out, “I have asked Coach Carpenter to lead this process, and to bring the names of three finalists to my desk by the end of March.  This will be a hard-working committee, because we have a short window of time to complete this search.”

 “I like the makeup of this committee. Several members have served on previous coaching searches and have a real feel for what we are looking for in a coach,” Carpenter said. “Three members are new to the process but have a vested interest in the Lee basketball program.

 “We posted the position and have already received several applications. I look forward to working with the committee and feel confident we will find the right person to lead the men’s program moving forward.”