UArizona faculty react to AD Heeke’s departure: ‘long overdue’

As the University of Arizona deals with a financial crisis and a $240 million deficit, reports say an audit of the athletic department will be released in the coming days, showing financial issues within athletics.

The school announced Monday that it is moving on from athletic director Dave Heeke , whose last day will be Feb. 2.

Former Arizona softball coach Mike Candrea will take over for Heeke as interim athletic director.

People close to the university tell KGUN that Heeke’s departure is tied to financial issues with the athletic department. It is the latest domino to fall, but more could be on the way.

Faculty senate members spoke with KGUN on Tuesday.

“Our concern is that under his leadership there had been… conflict between the academic side of the university and the athletic side,” said Ted Downing, a UArizona professor and former member of the Arizona House of Representatives.

Downing says that conflict came from Heeke and Athletics not repaying tens of millions in loans from the university over the last few years.

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