July 23, 2007

Dick Cook Announces Retirement as Capital Athletic Conference Commissioner 

ST. MARY'S CITY, Md. - Richard C. (Dick) Cook has announced his plans to retire as commissioner of the Capital Athletic Conference, effective on or before November 3, 2007. Cook was selected as the conference's first commissioner in June of 1993 and has served in that same capacity for over 14 years.

"At this time, I feel it is in my best interest to move in another direction and enjoy the finer things in life," stated Cook. "I can finally play more golf, enjoy a sailboat I have not used in several years, have more time to watch my 11 grandchildren fulfill all of their aspirations. I would like to thank the Board of Directors for allowing me to serve them for over 14 years and I wish nothing but the best for the conference. It has been an enjoyable ride, but the time has come to step down."

Cook has overseen recent changes to the conference in both membership and sport sponsorship. Catholic and Goucher left the conference this past June to join the Landmark Conference and were replaced with Hood College, Villa Julie College, and Wesley College, putting the conference at nine full-time members beginning in 2007-08. The CAC will also add men's golf as a conference sport beginning in the 2007-08 school year, raising the total number of conference-sponsored sports to 19.

"As the only commissioner the CAC has ever had, Dick Cook has been one of the key architects of the league for over 14 years," stated Scott Devine, President of the Board of Directors and Athletic Director at St. Mary's College of Maryland. "Dick has helped lead the way in a unique conference made up of both public and private institutions and has grown into one of the most successful conferences in all of D-III with nationally ranked programs in virtually every sport offered through the CAC. On behalf of all of the CAC presidents, athletic directors, coaches, and student-athletes, we offer our thanks and gratitude to Commissioner Cook for his outstanding leadership, service, and professionalism."

What others are saying about Dick Cook:

"As our first and only commissioner we are indebted to Dick Cook for his leadership, service, and steady hand in guiding the Capital Athletic Conference. Our institutions will miss our interactions with Dick and we wish him, and his wife, Barbara, all the best in retirement."

- Dr. Michael Vienna, Director of Athletics, Salisbury University

"Mr. Cook was the first-ever conference commissioner and is considered to be one of the founding fathers of the Capital Athletic Conference. His leadership and organizational acumen will be very difficult to replace."

- Dr. Edward Hegmann, Director of Athletics, University of Mary Washington

"Dick Cook has given 14 years of outstanding service to the Capital Athletic Conference as our first conference commissioner. His leadership and work ethic has helped bring the CAC to national prominence. We are going to miss him."

- Bill Finney, Director of Athletics and Head Women's Basketball Coach, Marymount (Va.) University