Tim Hall has signed on until 2012.

Hall Signs Contract Extension

By: David Cordill

Posted: 8/18/08

Backed by the University of Missouri System and recently-installed University of Missouri-Kansas City Interim Chancellor Leo Morton, UMKC Athletic Director (AD) Tim Hall has signed a one-year contract extension. The agreement will keep Hall at the helm of Kangaroo athletics through 2012.

An appreciative Hall, who originally took on AD duties at UMKC in February 2007, thanked his supporters and looked to the future.

"I am appreciative and humbled," Hall said. "The confidence that former Chancellor Guy Bailey, current Interim Chancellor Leo Morton and System President Gary Forsee have in my leadership of the athletics program means a great deal to me. I look forward to advancing the reputation of our University and athletics program in the coming years."

Presently a year and a half into his position at UMKC, Hall said strengthening the relationship with the campus community, while increasing both corporate sponsorship and ticket sales are among his most gratifying accomplishments thus far. Hall then commented on what was currently in the works for the athletic department.

"We will be unveiling our new Strategic Vision/Direction titled 'Forward Together,'" Hall said. "The tenets of this vision are to enhance the following areas: academics, competitiveness, budget, personnel, external support and facilities."

Hall, along with Chancellor for Enrollment Management/Student Affairs Mel Tyler, is focusing on the university's NCAA accreditation effort, where he said UMKC has recently submitted its self-study results.

"I really appreciate all the work that the steering committee and members of the sub-committees did," Hall said, concerning the efforts of the university. "The NCAA peer review team will be on campus later in the fall to assess our entire department in an effort to determine continuity between our self-study and the actual day-to-day operation relative to the guiding principles of Rules Compliance, Academic Integrity, Student-Athlete Well Being and Gender and Minority Equity. The NCAA will render a final certification decision by Feb. 2009."

Awarding a contract for the construction of the new on-campus soccer stadium is also on Hall's to-do list. According to the AD, the list of prospective bidders has been narrowed down to a short list and the eventual builder will be announced on Sep. 19.

"The plans will be presented to the Board of Curators on Oct. 24 with construction to begin in February," Hall said. "The field portion will be completed by Aug. 14. The support building and other areas should be completed by October 2009."

dcordill@unews.com