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Lide terminated as SIAC Commissioner

   Tucker, GA – The Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Council of Presidents announced Monday the termination of Dr. William Lide as conference commissioner effective May 31, 2008.

   The announcement was released by Tuskegee University President Dr. Benjamin Payton, who serves as Chairman of the Council.

   "The Council of Presidents regrets very much the necessity to take this action with respect to Dr. William E. Lide," said Payton. "He has brought new energy and imagination to the Conference and we certainly wish that we could continue this statement on that note. Unfortunately, the recent findings of the SIAC Audit Committee and the results of an external review do not make it possible for our statement to end merely on that theme."

   According to Payton, the audits, examination and review of operations of the SIAC produced a number of findings which compelled the Council of Presidents to act, first by suspending Dr. Lide (with pay) on April 15, 2008, and then subsequently voting to terminate Dr. Lide as the external review neared completion.

Posted June 4, 2008

      The action resulted from findings of mishandling of information and resources from the NCAA, the mismanagement of the finances of the Conference, and a failure to properly inform the Conference members and leadership of the real financial challenges that had developed in the Conference.

   George Mategakis, a current member of the staff, has been named Interim SIAC Commissioner as of April 16, 2008, and will continue in that capacity until the Council of Presidents decides on a successor.

The Executive Committee of the Council will be meeting over the next few weeks to establish future directions for the Conference, the search process, and the agenda for its summer meeting, which will be held in July.

   Lide became SIAC commissioner in 2003. Prior to his appointment, he served as Athletic Director at the University of Central Arkansas. He received his bachelor’s degree from Johnson C. Smith University in 1973 and a master's from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte in 1976.  He earned his doctorate in physical education and administration from The Ohio State University in 1980.

   He is a member of the Johnson C. Smith Sports Hall of Fame and a member of the All Pro Countdown

Team of the CFL as a former player for the Calgary Stampeders.

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