Athletic Director Skip Bertman announced this morning that he will accept a one year contract extension and then retire in 2008.
He will continue to serve as athletic director emeritus for two years after he retires. In his capacity as emeritus he said he will assist in raising money for the University and the Forever LSU capital campaign.
“There are still many things to accomplish in my final year as AD, and I look forward to the two years as emeritus AD and the new challenges they will present for the betterment of the entire University,” Bertman said in a statement. “My wife, Sandy, and I recently celebrated our 45th anniversary, and we determined that the age of 70 is a great time to step away from the day-to-day activities of the athletic department.
“I thank [Chancellor] Sean [O’Keefe] and the Board of Supervisors for this opportunity to fulfill my goals as the athletic director and then to assume an important role in the University mission.”
Bertman was name athletic director in 2001. Prior to serving as director he was the head baseball coach.
“Skip’s record as a five-time national championship baseball coach is well-documented, but his tenure as athletic director is equally accomplished,” O’Keefe said. “He introduced a modern, effective financing strategy that has placed the athletic program on sound financial footing. Few universities across the nation host athletic programs that are self-sustaining and support university operations.”