Keys: Southern University Pugh takes on a tough assignment

Southern Interim Athletic Director Sandy Pugh

Baton Rouge, LA - Monday afternoon, less than a week into her new role as the interim athletic director at Southern University, Sandy Pugh was all smiles. Above her head, sunlight poked through a field of fast-moving clouds. All around her, trees swayed in a strong breeze. What a day it was.

“I want people to believe some fantastic things are getting ready to happen,” she said. “It’s a beautiful day here at Southern.”

Lately, fewer and fewer people are able to share Pugh’s sunny disposition. Who could blame them? After all, this has been the wildest, most disturbing year in the history of Southern athletics. The football team posted its worst record ever, going 2-9. The men’s basketball team posted its worst record ever for the third straight year, going 4-26, and coach Rob Spivery was fired.

Southern University seeks to fill the athletic director position quickly

Baton Rouge, LA — To borrow a phrase from the sports teams it presides over, Southern’s athletic department has lost some big names, and the work of replacing them must now begin.

Southern Athletic Director Greg LaFleur was let go from his post last week after being arrested for allegedly soliciting a prostitute. LaFleur was in Houston scouting potential hires for the men’s basketball team after the firing of former coach Rob Spivery following a 4-26 season.

“Given the circumstances, I think it would be difficult for the university to move forward with Mr. LaFleur as the head of the athletic program,” Southern Chancellor Kofi Lomotey said in a release last week.

The decision leaves Southern with two big positions to fill.

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