Potentially good news for Oregon Duck fans in Southern Oregon.
For many years the University of Oregon Athletic Department had an office in Medford Oregon staffed by a department employee of The Duck Athletic Fund (DAF)who served as representative of UO Athletics and the Duck Athletic Fund in Southern Oregon, and was responsible for development activities for both annual gifts to the Duck Athletic Fund and major gifts to endowments and capital projects. This staff person also acted as a liaison to booster groups,such as the Oregon Club of Southern Oregon. The office was originally opened by Athletic Director Bill Byrne in the in the 1980's when he was trying to expand support for the Athletic Department outside of Eugene to other areas of the state. In fact Jim Bartko, current Oregon Executive Senior Associate Athletic Director and Greg Byrne, Athletic Director at Mississippi State University got their start in Medford working for the DAF.
About three years ago the office was closed for "budget reasons" while Bill Moos was Athletic Director. During this same time period a new regional office of the Duck Athletic Fund was opened in Bend Oregon, a growing and booming area of the state.
The good news is that the University of Oregon is now advertising online for the position of "Regional Director of Development, Duck Athletic Fund." The job listing describes some of the positions responsibilities as follows:
Serve as athletic department officer for Medford, Grants Pass, Klamath Falls, Sacramento, East Bay, Marin, San Francisco, and the South Bay.
Review of applications will begin August 25, 2008 and the position will be open until filled.
For more information about the job click on the title for a link to the University of Oregon's website where the position is advertised.
Let's hope that the Ducks fill this position and reopen an office in Medford.
