OMAHA - University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) Chancellor Nancy Belck has named William Wakefield as interim director of athletics.

The appointment, effective Oct. 4, follows the Aug. 18 resignation of Bob Danenhauer, who will take a job as coordinator of athletics and supervisor of physical education with Omaha Public Schools Nov. 1.

Wakefield, a professor of criminal justice at UNO, has served as the NCAA Division II Faculty Academic Representative for the past five years. He is also a current member and past chair of the Athletic Committee, which serves as an advisory group to UNO Athletics.

A UNO alum, Wakefield joined the faculty in 1974 and has been actively involved in many facets of the campus community throughout his tenure. His primary teaching and research interests revolve around comparative criminology and criminal justice, corrections, juvenile justice and theoretical criminology. Wakefield is the recipient of a UNO Excellence in Teaching Award for his contributions in the classroom, a recipient of the Chancellor's Medal, and current holder of the Scott Diamond Professorship in the UNO College of Public Affairs and Community Service.

"Bill's commitment to UNO athletics is exemplary," Belck said. "He will keep our program on track during our national search for an athletic director that will take Maverick athletics to the next level."

John Langan, dean of the UNO College of Education, will chair the search committee. Committee members and the areas they represent are listed below.

UNO Faculty Senate
Graham Mitenko
Jody Neathery-Castro

UNO Staff Advisory Council
William (Mike) Kult
Kay Bret

UNO School of Health, Physical Education and Recreation/Campus Recreation
Dan Blanke

Mav Board/Women's Executive Board
Dr. Jack Lewis
John Mock

Maverick Head Coaches
Mike Denney
Patty Patton Shearer

UNO Athletics
Deb Denbeck
Sue Baumert

NCAA
William Wakefield

UNO/Diet Pepsi Women's Walk
Maggie Lehning

UNO Student Athletes
Stephanie Kirby
Ryan Curtis

UNO Student Government
Jono Croskey

UNO Alumni Association/University of Nebraska Foundation
Jim Leslie
Clark Rosenlof

Community Representatives
Lee Sapp
Lori Scott
Don Leahy
Connie Claussen

Advertising for the position will begin immediately, Belck said.

For more information, call Tim Kaldahl at (402) 554-3502.