Coaches excited about bringing Hull aboard

New athletic director hopes to help College of Charleston 'reach its full potential'

New athletic director hopes to help College of Charleston 'reach its full potential'

Joe Hull was formally introduced as the College of Charleston's director of athletics Tuesday, and his hiring was greeted enthusiastically by the school's coaches and administrators.

"We had five very strong finalists," said College president George Benson. "Any one of the five could have done the job. We could have randomly selected from the five. That's the kind of job the search committee did. It was a pleasure to meet with all of them, but one individual rose to the top.

"He has had two long tenures at two outstanding ACC institutions. He has had extensive marketing experience, significant fund-raising experience. He brings a wealth of talent to us just as we need it."

Hull, 51, comes to Charleston after long stints as an associate athletic director at both North Carolina State and Maryland, and his strong Atlantic Coast Conference background resonated with Cougars' basketball coach Bobby Cremins.

"Gary Williams (Maryland basketball coach) had called me about Joe and said some very nice things," Cremins said. "You know I love the ACC. A big part of my career was with the ACC, so getting another person from the ACC is great. I thought we had some great candidates. I'm excited that we have a new athletic director. Fred Daniels did a great job as interim."

Charleston baseball coach John Pawlowski was also impressed with Hull's credentials.

"I think it has been a long process and there were some great candidates," Pawlowski said. "I'm looking forward to meeting him, and I think a lot of people are. He gives us a new sense of direction and I think people are anxious to have Joe get started."

Hull and the school have reached an agreement in principle on a five-year contract, the terms of which will be disclosed when the contract is finalized. He is scheduled to begin his new duties Jan. 1

"I am genuinely, truly thrilled to be here," Hull said. "Being the athletic director at the College of Charleston is a dream come true for me and my family. It's an opportunity to live in a great place, an opportunity to achieve professionally and an opportunity to provide service to others.

"It's my goal to use the knowledge and experience I've gained through a long career in college athletics and help the college and the athletics program reach its full potential."

Hull replaces Jerry Baker, who retired in June after 15 years on the job.

A 1978 graduate of North Carolina State, Hull comes to Charleston from Maryland were he has worked since 1997. His experience includes supervising athletics fundraising, compliance, media relations, facility construction, marketing, promotions and licensing.

He coordinated and led the team responsible for the design and construction of a new $125 million arena and athletic complex at Maryland.

He also developed the athletic department's first strategic plan for athletic fundraising.

Hull, who worked at N.C. State from 1985 to 1997, has a master's degree in sports administration from Ohio University and a law degree from Campbell School of Law.

While an undergraduate at N.C. State, Hull played on the Wolfpack golf team where he made the Atlantic Coast Conference academic honor roll for three straight years.

Other finalists for the job were East Carolina senior associate athletic director Jimmy Bass, Notre Dame associate athletic director Eugene "Boo" Corrigan, former Rhode Island athletic director Tom McElroy and Colorado associate athletic director Chris May.

Reach Charles Bennett at cbennett@postandcourier.com.

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