June 4, 2023
A search committee composed of various individuals representing Mayville State campus constituents, students, and alumni have been charged with leading the search to fill the athletic director position at Mayville State University. The position will become vacant July 1, 2023 with the departure of Jay DeCann who has taken another position.
Finalists for the position, Larry Johnston and Steve Johnson, will visit the Mayville State campus this week for interview activities. Mayville State faculty and staff and the public are invited to attend candidate presentations on Tuesday, June 6 and Thursday, June 8. Presentations and community receptions will be held in the Classroom Building Auditorium from 9:15 to 10:00 a.m. each day.
Other activities for the finalist campus interview days will include conversation with head coaches, an interview with the search committee, campus and community tours, a meeting with President Van Horn, and lunch and conversation with the president’s cabinet.
Larry Johnston is the director of athletics at Frederick Community College in Frederick, Md. In this role, he provides vision and leadership for planning, implementation, management, supervision, and evaluation of the athletics program. He is responsible for ensuring compliance with national and regional athletic requirements within the department of athletics, working with a wide range of constituencies in a diverse community. Prior to being in this position, he was commissioner of Texas Trinity League in San Antonio, Texas, and athletic director with Texas Christian Athletic League. He was Associate Dean of Exercise Science, Health & Athletics at Santa Ana College in Santa Ana, Calif. From 2007 to 2010. He holds a Master of Science degree in kinesiology degree and a Bachelor of Arts degree in physical education.
Steve Johnson is the Assistant Athletic Director of Compliance at Southern Nazarene University in Bethany Okla. He has 17 years of experience in intercollegiate athletics, including 15 years at NCAA Division II and III institutions. Prior to being at Southern Nazarene University, he was at South Dakota School of Mines & Technology in Rapid City, S.D., serving in coaching roles with track and field, and finally as Director of Track and Field and Cross Country. He has served as an adjunct professor at various institutions of higher education. Johnson earned a master’s degree in business administration/management from the University of Mary in Bismarck, N.D., and a Master of Education degree in physical education from the University of Idaho. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in kinesiology/movement studies from Washington State University and an Associate of Arts degree from Green River Community College in Auburn, Wash.