After 18 years, Ken Casavant stepping down as WSU Faculty Athletic Rep (Originally posted
… is headlined, “Search continues for a Faculty Athletics
Representative.”
Text to item reads, “The university is seeking a new Faculty
Athletics Representative (FAR). The FAR will serve under the direction of WSU President
Kirk Schulz and play a critical role ensuring the academic integrity of the
intercollegiate athletics program, facilitating institutional control of
intercollegiate athletics, and enhancing the student-athlete experience at WSU.
The application deadline for the position is Friday, January 20. See the FAR
search website for additional information.”
News CougGroup contacted Ken Casavant, who was appointed as
WSU Faculty Athletic Rep in 1999 by WSU President Sam Smith.
Casavant told News for CougGroup that he “recently resigned
from WSU academically.”
Casavant said he and WSU President Kirk Schulz “agreed I
would stay on phased retirement” as Faculty Athletic Rep until May 15, 2017, “allowing
the new (Faculty Athletic Rep) to shadow me on the job and get a leg up on all
the challenges and responsibilities of the position.”
Asked why he is retiring, Casavant responded: “After 18
rewarding years as (Faculty Athletic Rep) and being in my 50th year at WSU, in the
most enjoyable job to be imagined, in a University that I do dearly love, it
was time.”
Casavant said he is staying on as Director Emeritus of the
WSU Freight Policy Transportation Institute.
........................................
Postscript:
-Casavant succeeded Irving Tallman, professor of sociology,
who held the half-time Faculty Athletic Rep position 1994-1999.
-Tallman succeeded C.A. “Bud” Ryan, a professor of
biochemistry who was Faculty Athletic Rep, 1991-1994.
- Ryan, professor of biochemistry, succeeded Edward Bennett,
professor of history, who resigned in 1991 as Faculty Athletic Rep after
serving 25 years. Bennett was appointed by WSU President C. Clement French.
Top photo: Spokane S-R 12/15/2013.
Lower photo: WSU Magazine Fall 2004.
Two photos below from Moscow Pullman Daily News in 2015. They show Ken Casavant and Karen Kiessling concerning planting daffodil bulbs on Pullman's Bishop Boulevard.
