The first of three candidates for the Northern Michigan University athletic director position, Forrest Karr, visited campus and held forums for students and the community on Tuesday, April 10.

During the community forum, Karr presented on the future of the athletic department, including finances, conference issues, academic and competitive success, recreational sports and the U.S. Olympic Education Center.

“I think that the teams here are well-funded, there’s a good opportunity to bring student-athletes to campus and all the teams have every opportunity in the world to be successful,” Karr said.

Karr was a goaltender at the University of Notre Dame, graduated from the University of Wisconsin and is in his eighth year as athletic director at the University of Alaska-Fairbanks.

Karr is interested in expanding the sports Northern Michigan offers. Some teams Karr said he would consider adding are men’s swimming, women’s softball and possibly women’s lacrosse.

“When you think about this, you want to think about ways you can add the most significant number of students to Northern Michigan,” Karr said. “You have to look at all the costs involved.”

Karr is hoping to integrate new fundraising methods for the USOEC since the loss of federal funding. He would also consider the addition of Paralympic sports and said funding for it has grown in certain years.

To provide feedback on Karr, visit www.nmu.edu/sports/ADFeedback. Remaining athletic director candidates David Diles and Sean Johnson will hold forums at NMU on April 17 and 19, respectively.