April 9, 2003

Contact: Doug Vance, KU Athletics, (785) 864-3470.

Al Bohl leaving as KU athletics director

LAWRENCE -- Chancellor Robert Hemenway today announced that Al Bohl, athletics director at the University of Kansas since Aug. 1, 2001, is leaving his position, effective immediately.

A. Drue Jennings, a KU graduate (B.S, 1968; J.D., 1972) and former CEO of Kansas City Power and Light Company, has agreed to serve as interim athletics director pending the outcome of a national search. Plans for that search will be announced at a later time, but Hemenway expects internal candidates to be given strong consideration.

Jennings, 56, of Leawood, played football for four years at KU and is a member of the KU Endowment Association Executive Committee and the KU Alumni Association Board. He served on the KU Athletic Corporation Board from 1991 to 1995. Jennings will not be a candidate for the position.

Hemenway discussed the leadership of KU athletics with Bohl during the past six to eight weeks. He also talked with members of the KU Athletic Corporation board, coaches and other athletic department staff, alumni and contributors to KU athletics.

"On the basis of these conversations and my own evaluation of the situation," said Hemenway, "I came to the conclusion a change of leadership was needed at this time."

Hemenway added that he chose to delay his decision until the close of the basketball season. "While the situation became a distraction during the NCAA tournament," said Hemenway, "announcing a change while the men's basketball team was still in contention for the title would have been more of a distraction."

Hemenway noted that the appointment of Jennings as interim athletics director had been discussed in advance with Head Men's Basketball Coach Roy Williams, who expressed support for Jennings.

Hemenway said his action was consistent with provisions of Bohl's employment agreement, but that the university would not provide details.

"It is important that the entire Department of Intercollegiate Athletics focus its energies, and those of KU's many fans, on those things that matter most," said Hemenway, "the education of our students and the success of all team sports. That will be the highest priority as we begin the search for a new athletics director."

Bohl came to KU from Fresno State University, where he was director of athletics from 1996 to 2001. He previously was director of athletics at the University of Toledo (1987-96) and an assistant director of athletics at Ohio State University, where he received a doctorate in 1978.