EWU narrows list for A.D.

The field of candidates for a new athletics director at Eastern Washington University has been narrowed to four and candidates will visit the school in Cheney in the next two weeks.

The finalists include Robert Chichester, the athletics director at the University of California Irvine for the past five years. The other three, including former Lewis and Clark High graduate Robert Minnix, are currently associate athletics directors.

Minnix is currently at Florida State University. Bill Chaves (Baylor University) and Peter “Mac” Hart (Providence College) round out the list of four.

The selection of the finalists is the result of a month-long process started in June by the consultant EWU hired, Bill Carr of Carr Sports Associates. Minnix is expected to be interviewed on Thursday. Chaves will arrive on campus on Aug. 2 and Hart will interview the next day. The interviews will conclude with Chichester on Aug. 6.

Eastern is searching for a replacement for Darren Hamilton, who was fired in March after seven months on the job. Michael Westfall is the interim athletics director.

Golf

Gonzaga sophomore Derek Cheney shot a 2-over-par 74 to secure his first Tri-City Amateur Championship on Sunday at Canyon Lakes Golf Course.

The Richland resident chalked up a three-day gross total of 208, winning the tournament by two strokes.

Cheney finished the victory by making par on the final hole with Cle Elum’s Dan Whitaker breathing down his neck for the lead. Whitaker finished second on each of the three days of the tournament and finished with a 210.