LEXINGTON — University of Kentucky President Lee Todd announced Tuesday the creation of a seven-member advisory group to help him during the school's search for a new athletics director.

        The group, made up of community leaders, former Kentucky athletes and university faculty, will advise Dr. Todd in selecting a national search firm, developing criteria for the position and identifying and interviewing candidates.

        “This group's only focus will be aiding me in the search process,” Dr. Todd said during the UK board of trustees meeting.

        The job has been vacant since March 5, when Larry Ivy resigned in the wake of serious recruiting violations in the football program and a poor review of the university's athletics department.

        Members of the informal advisory group announced Tuesday are:

        • Mira Ball, a Lexington community leader and former chairman of the Greater Lexington Chamber of Commerce.

        • Sam Bowie, former Kentucky basketball star and broadcaster who now is a Lexington businessman.

        • Dermontti Dawson, former Kentucky and NFL football standout who now is a Lexington businessman.

        • John Hall, former Vanderbilt football player, retired CEO and chairman of Ashland Inc., and current director at Bank One.

        • Garrett Headley, former UK wrestling letterman and current Lexington stockbroker.

        • Claire Pomeroy, member of the school's faculty in the College of Education and faculty representative to the board of trustees.

        • Gerald Smith, faculty member in the department of history, director of the UK African American Studies and Research program and faculty representative to the UK athletics board.

        Dr. Todd said he hopes to have a national search firm selected within two weeks and wants to name a new athletics director by the end of the summer.

        Dr. Todd also announced Tuesday that the university has submitted its appeal to the NCAA regarding its postseason football ban and will appear before the committee to plead its case.

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