Eagle News

Issue date: 6/18/09 Section: Sports

Media Credit: Carlos Calante Ken Kavanagh on his first day at work for FGCU as the athletic director.

Ken Kavanagh officially took the reins as FGCU's athletic director Monday after being introduced to the school a month ago. Kavanagh beat out Jo-Anne Nester, who was the interim AD after the sudden departure of Carl McAloose, for the spot and is the second AD in school history.
Kavanagh spent the past 13 years as the athletic director of Bradley University in Illinois.

FGCU held a press conference to officially announce Kavanagh as the athletic director May 21 at the outdoor sports complex by Swanson Stadium.

Kavanagh spoke briefly when introduced, recognizing former Bowling Green AD Jack Gregory and former Bradley AD and men's basketball coach Charles Orsborn, who both reside in the greater Fort Myers area, as influential people during his own run as Bradley AD.

Kavanagh was then draped in a FGCU track-style windbreaker by President Wilson Bradshaw and received applause.
Kavanagh credited Nester on numerous occasions during his speech, giving her praise for the great job she did as interim AD.

Despite not starting his duties as AD until Monday, Kavanagh was in Daytona Beach two weeks ago for the A-Sun Conference meetings.

"My wife was great and understood the benefit of getting a head start here"
Kavanagh also emphasized raising awareness of FGCU through athletics.

"Our goal is to have (the acronym) FGCU equal to UCLA when people hear of us"
Kavanagh, 48, is from Greenwich, Conn., and has four children: Rose, 18, Mitchell, 16, and twins Quinn and Jack, 13.

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