UW’s interim AD won’t just fill a void

SEATTLE – Dick Thompson isn’t merely keeping the seat warm while the University of Washington hires a permanent athletic director.

“I’ve got some things on my plate that I have to deal with immediately,” said Thompson, an Everett native and third-generation graduate of Everett High School, named interim AD Friday while UW officials conduct a nationwide search for a permanent successor to Barbara Hedges.

Although interim UW president Lee Huntsman said he hoped a new AD would be named by the summer, he left some wiggle room in that hope. And even if one is appointed sooner, Thompson will to be an important factor in the way the UW athletic department conducts itself in one of its most controversial and troubled times.

The state Health Department is investigating former softball team doctor William Scheyer’s medical practices. The NCAA and Pacific-10 Conference also may conduct their own investigations.

The Washington State Patrol, the federal Drug Enforcement Administration and the U.S. Attorney’s Office have launched an investigation. The university is conducting an internal review into Scheyer’s tenure.

A Compliance Committee of outside experts has been planned to examine the athletic department.

Former NCAA official Chuck Smrt is conducting a review of the program’s NCAA compliance department.

The Pac-10 and NCAA may well penalize the UW for incidents that came to the forefront during an investigation into former head football coach Rick Neuheisel’s participation in betting pools.

In nearly 40 years of public service, Thompson, 60, has no similar experience on his resume. But then, Thompson is used to coming into unfamiliar territory. He did so when named director of the state’s Department of Social and Health Services (1989-92), director of the state’s Office of Financial Management (1997-99) and director of the state’s Department of Community Development (1985-87).

At the time he agreed to temporarily take over for Hedges, Thompson was the retiring director of government relations at the UW.

“I’ve kind of lived my life trying new opportunities,” Thompson said, smiling. “I’ve always just loved athletics. I’ve been around it. I’m one of those Everett boys.”

Thompson now calls Olympia home, although he will spend the work weeks in his condominium in Seattle.

Thompson’s appointment as interim AD had been arranged at the end of December, when Hedges made the decision to move up her planned retirement from June 30 to Jan. 16. Although the appointment is temporary, Thompson said he has been named to enough “temporary” positions to learn that he must approach it as a permanent position.

“If you just kind of sit around in a void, then things get worse,” he said. “Plus, there’s the fact that I have great respect for Barbara and she’ll help me in terms of learning the different issues.”

Indeed, Huntsman said the search may well stretch into football season, which Thompson understands.

“This is a university setting, and it takes some time to go through the selection process,” Thompson said.

Thompson’s experience in budgets and general management probably will help him as interim AD, Thompson said. An attorney by trade, he says he has a skill in motivating people and in organizing problem-solving.

The expected multitude of legal issues the UW will face in the coming months won’t likely phase Thompson. He has served as city attorney and/or city manager for Snohomish, Everett and Puyallup.

“Even though I haven’t practiced (law) in many years, I can’t be buffaloed with legal talk,” Thompson said.