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- Subscribe - Contact Us - Rate Card - Place an Ad Archives Revels Classifieds Real Estate Guide Weather Subscribe Contact Us October 29, 2004 Pifer leaves SOU after 24 years Named athletic trainer at NMHS By Jennifer Squires Ashland Daily Tidings It's time to say good-bye to Phil Pifer, again. The long-time fixture in the Southern Oregon University athletic department -first as the head trainer, now as the director of athletics - will step down on Nov. 30, the second time Pifer has retired from university life since he took the AD job in 2000. "I've always told people since I've been retired that I'd stay as long as the fun surpassed the headache," Pifer, 57, said, cornered behind stacks of budgets and manila folders on his wrap-around desk. "The headaches surpass the fun now." During his four years in the corner office, Pifer feels like he has had an impact by putting more money into the scholarship fund and refining the athletic department budgets. "With the help of the Raider Club, we've substantially increased the dollar amount we offer in scholarships," he said. "I've managed to improve budgets in a couple of sports and I think I've developed good relationships with the administration and the student fee process and the student government." Pifer technically retired two years ago to receive PERS retirement benefits, but stayed on as athletic director because he enjoyed the university athletic atmosphere. "Athletics is all I've ever done since I left college," Pifer said. "I'm leaving on good terms. I just decided it's time to have more time for Phil." The next step Pifer has taken the athletic trainer position at North Medford High that was vacated when Todd Fandrich took a similar role at Crater High. Pifer hopes the job will be a more relaxing and less time-consuming. "I had an opportunity to accept and thought that I'd have more fun," Pifer said. "I really enjoy high school sports. I volunteered my services to almost all of the local high schools during my 20-plus years as head trainer here." Pifer has served as director of athletics and recreational sports at SOU since 2000. He has been involved with Raider athletics for 24 years, including 20 years as the university's head trainer, organizer of the athletic training program and advisor to the school's pre-physical therapy majors. In 1999, he filled in as interim AD when Monty Cartwright went on sabbatical. Following Cartwright's retirement a year later, Pifer was promoted to lead the department. Pifer earned a bachelor's degree in Physical Education from Cal Poly-San Luis Obispo in 1971 and became a certified athletic trainer. He was a trainer for the 1984 U.S. Olympic swim team, head trainer at Barbara City College from 1971-81 and president of the NAIA trainer's association in 1986 and '87. Pifer will remain in his position until the end of November, when an interim athletic director will take over. The university plans to have a permanent replacement hired by July. "It [the job] hasn't been posted," SOU Public Relations Coordinator Christina Dunlap said on Thursday. "We don't know who the interim is at this point" DailyTidings.com Home Page Archives | Revels | Classifieds | Real Estate Guide | Weather | Subscribe | Contact Us Copyright 2005 Ashland Daily Tidings and Ottaway Newspapers All Rights Reserved Slippers Isotoner Slippers Dsw Shoes Ceramic Piggy Banks Fanny Mae Eloans Calenders 2005 Calender 2005 Accelerate Weight Loss Programs Citibank Student Loans Acs Loan Matchmaking & Dating Scripts Adventure Travel Conference Calls - $50/Month Security Systems student loan consolidation helzberg diamonds Click Here Site Search: .:Advertisements:. RESOURCES - Mail Tribune News - ODOT Road Cams