Athletic director resigns

UNT Athletic Director Craig Helwig submitted his resignation on Nov. 22. In accepting the resignation, UNT President Norval Pohl cited Helwig's contributions as a foundation for future developments.

"I appreciate Craig Helwig's hard work and his many accomplishments as the university's athletic director," Pohl says.

"Now," Pohl explains, "it's time for UNT to elevate its status as a Division 1-A university.

"I believe raising the performance and profile of our athletic programs will improve our institutional identity and benefit the entire university," Pohl says. "My conviction is that this university must advance in all areas. UNT already has a growing reputation for academic excellence. Now we must begin taking the necessary steps to become more competitive in all of our athletic endeavors."

Pohl will appoint an interim director to guide UNT's athletic programs until a search is completed for a new director. A search committee to find a replacement will be formed. The university's athletic coaches will continue to serve in their current positions and will report to the interim director.

Helwig became UNT's athletic director in 1994; he led UNT's reclassification from NCAA Division 1-AA to Division 1-A in all sports, its move to the Big West Conference in 1996 and its recent move to membership in the Sun Belt Conference.

During Helwig's tenure UNT won the following conference championships: football in 1994, women's volleyball in 1995, men's golf in 1996 and 1999, track and field in 2000, cross country in 1994 and 2000, and a pair of divisional titles in women's basketball in 1999 and 2000.

Prior to joining UNT, Helwig served as executive director of the John Hancock Bowl and the Sun Carnival Association. He served as assistant athletic director for development at the University of Texas and also at Kansas State University.

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• Answerline

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