New interim AD Jamie Bouyer will join the chorus of voices that will assist in the appointment of a permanent AD. Photo provided by Rick Hoskin from the CSUDH athletic department.

By Jeremy Gonzalez, Sports Editor

The California State University, Dominguez Hills athletics department has dismissed Jeff Falkner from his position as athletics director and announced last week that Jamie Bouyer will serve as the interim athletic director until a permanent replacement is named. 

The reason for Falkner’s departure is unknown as William V. Franklin, vice president for Student Affairs, declined to comment on the departure due to it being a personnel matter. 

Franklin appointed Bouyer, who returns to begin a second stint as the interim AD after joining the athletics department back in 2012 as the Associate Athletics Director. Bouyer served as the interim director for most of the 2014 calendar year. 

“Bouyer currently serves as the Associate Director of Community Standards in Student Affairs and served as the interim Athletics Director for most of 2014,” Franklin said. “Those credentials alone, when compared to others, point to the fact that she is uniquely and exceptionally qualified to resume this role.”

Bouyer helped the athletics department’s transition the last time they were in search of an AD, which led to Falkner being appointed as the permanent AD ahead of the 2015-2016 academic year, holding the position until this past September when he was dismissed. 

“It is truly an honor to return to Athletics during this pivotal time of transition for the department,” Bouyer said, according to GoToros. “I want to personally thank our president, Dr. Parham, and our VP of Student Affairs, Dr. Franklin, for entrusting me to lead and guide the department until a permanent replacement is named.”

Franklin also said the university will work with the search firm Athletics Staffing and Consulting to conduct the national search. Franklin and Bouyer will work closely with the Academic Senate, Associated Students, Inc., and President Parham to select and charge a committee that will be crucial in the appointment of a new AD. 

The university will be looking for someone who can provide strategic leadership, direction and oversight over all aspects of the program. The athletics director will be expected to oversee the recruitment, educational progress and academic success of the student-athletes here at CSUDH. They will also be counted on to set the expectation for coaches and student-athletes that performance in the classroom and earning a degree are the main goals above athletic achievements.

“We are seeking a transformative leader to serve as our next Athletics Director,” Franklin said. “We want to ensure that the campus community and surrounding communities have much stronger ties with Toros athletics. We want to take intercollegiate athletics to the next level in the Toro Nation.”