Retiring Penn State AD Sandy Barbour on transition out, what's next
Penn State Athletic Director Sandy Barbour revealed her intentions to retire this summer in a statement last week.
Monday, Barbour met the media for the first time since making the announcement.
Asked specifically when she planned to step away from the job, Barbour did not provide a date. Instead, she indicated that she will continue until a new hire is made.
“Obviously until we have somebody in place, I’ll continue to lead this department and make decisions as has always been appropriate,” she said Monday.
“I’m all in it, and I’m probably going to working my tail off until the last day, maybe leaving the office somewhere around eight or nine o’clock at night.”
Barbour’s decision to retire coincides with a change within Penn State’s academic leadership.
Current university president Dr. Eric Barron is set to retire this summer as well. He’ll be replaced by Dr. Neeli Bendapudi.
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Barbour clarified that she notified Barron and Bendapudi of her retirement early enough that they should have “some good runway” to find a replacement.
Penn State indicated its intention to take on a “national search” for that replacement last week.
Asked if she will be at all involved in making the next hire, Barbour deferred to Bendapudi.
“Obviously this is Neeli’s decision as to who comes next,” Barbour said. “Whatever’s appropriate to me, if asked to provide input, I’ll certainly do that. I love Penn State.”
Barbour emphasized strongly that she will not take another athletic director job after leaving Happy Valley. She said consulting, cause work and teaching were among the roles that could appeal to her moving forward.
“I think there comes a time where you just can’t do it the way you expect to,” Barbour said. “That’s part of my decision. I will not be an AD again. I’m going to close that chapter.”
Barbour said she intends to stay in State College for another year after leaving the job before making the move out west, where most of her family resides.
