(LEBANON, Ill., April 29)-McKendree University officials announced on Wednesday that Harry Statham will step aside as the director of athletics at the institution. Statham, who is wrapping up his 43^rd year at his alma mater, will continue his duties as the men's head basketball coach for the Bearcats.

HARRY STATHAM TO RELINQUISH DUTIES AS McKENDREE ATHLETIC DIRECTOR, WILL REMAIN AS MEN'S BASKETBALL COACH

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: Scott Cummings, (618) 537-6879 or secummin@mckendree.edu

"We are extremely grateful that Harry has served the institution for more than four decades in two very demanding positions," said McKendree University president Dr. James Dennis. "Our athletic department has grown and prospered under his leadership. His dedication to the university, its mission, and most importantly, its student-athletes, have played a large role in the success we have enjoyed on this campus. This is a move that Harry has thought about for quite a while, and it allows him to focus solely on his great passion, and this is coaching our highly-successful men's basketball program."

Dr. Dennis added that a search for a full-time director of athletics would begin immediately. Statham will continue to oversee the Bearcat athletic department until a new administrator is hired.

Since his arrival in 1966, Statham has helped build the McKendree athletic program into one of the most recognized and respected among member institutions of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA). The Bearcat athletic program grew from three sports (men's basketball, baseball and men's golf) to the 20 sports offered by the university during the 2008-09 academic year. Over the last decade, McKendree has been a consistent top-15 finisher in the Learfield Sports Directors' Cup standings of the NAIA, which recognizes the top all-around athletic programs across the country.

In addition, McKendree has claimed the American Midwest Conference (AMC) President's Cup every year since the award was introduced prior to the 2000-01 academic year.

Statham's leadership as the McKendree director of athletics has been rewarded over the years. He was honored as the NAIA Central Region Athletic Director of the Year by the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA) in 1998-99. Most recently, Statham was recognized as the AMC Athletic Director of the Year in 2007-08.

"It's time," said Statham. "This is something I've looked at for a few years. We need to have a full-time athletic director with the type of growth and success we have had here at McKendree. This move gives me a chance to focus solely on our men's basketball program.

It has been a great 43 years and I have nothing but good memories of our work with the administration and athletic staff here at McKendree. Our coaches and staff have been extremely cooperative and tremendous workers. (Administrative assistants) Gale Olds, Connie Nunn and Ann Heimann are exceptional people and the successes we have made would not have been possible without their exemplary work. The need is there for a full-time director of athletics at McKendree and I want to spend more time coaching our basketball team. That is why I stay in the game."

Statham will enter the 2009-10 season as the all-time wins leader in men's college basketball history. Statham has collected 995 wins during his 43-year coaching career at McKendree, and has guided the Bearcats to 13 appearances at the NAIA Division I Men's Basketball National Championship. In 2008-09, Statham led McKendree to an overall record of 30-6 and a perfect 14-0 mark in AMC regular-season play. He has led McKendree to six 30-win seasons and 32 20-win campaigns.