Arizona names Erika Hanson Barnes as interim AD

The Byrne departure is now official

The University of Arizona made the departure of athletic director Greg Byrne official on Monday, releasing a statement saying that Byrne was moving to Alabama.

"The last nearly seven years has been a wonderful experience for me and my entire family,” Byrne said in the statement. “We truly appreciate President Hart, our student-athletes, coaches, staff and friends. Because of the unbelievable support of all those who make up the Arizona Family, Tucson and the University of Arizona will always hold a special place in our hearts.”

Arizona has named Erika Hanson Barnes as the interim AD as the search for a permanent replacement begins.

Barnes was the first baseman on the 2001 National Championship softball team at Arizona, and graduated that year with a bachelor’s degree in communications. She also earned her master’s degree in business administration from UA’s Eller College of Management in 2010.

According to the release, she has been a staff member at Arizona since 2005:

She is the NCAA-designated Senior Woman Administrator and her duties include operational oversight of the 20 varsity sports and the C.A.T.S. student-athlete services (medical services, strength and conditioning, academics and life skills), while serving as sports supervisor for 15 programs. In addition to her administrative duties, Barnes is actively engaged in securing major gifts for the department's fundraising arm, the Wildcat Club, and has played an integral fundraising role in five major capital campaign projects totaling more than $145 million.

A national search has been implement by Arizona’s lame duck president Ann Weaver Hart, which will find the permanent replacement for Byrne.

If you’re looking for the interim AD on Twitter, you can find her @ebarnes7.

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