University of Maine Director of Athletics Karlton Creech announced today that Richard Barron will assume the position as Special Assistant to the Director of Athletics for seven months, effective Dec. 1.
“We are grateful that Richard is able to return to work in an administrative capacity at this time,” said Creech. “Richard has many talents that will be able to support our community engagement efforts over the next few months to help grow the Alfond Fund and spread the positive message of UMaine Athletics.”
In the fixed-length position, Dec. 1, 2017 through June 30, 2018, Barron’s primary responsibilities will be to represent the Athletics Department at public events and assist with fundraising for the Alfond Fund.
He will earn $53,000, the portion of the head coach’s salary that remained unused this year with the appointment of first-time college head coach Amy Vachon, who took the reins mid-season last year when Barron became ill.
“I look forward to continuing to serve the University of Maine,” said Barron, who began his appointment as head coach on May 10, 2011. He guided the Black Bears to a pair of America East regular season titles and three-straight postseason appearances.
“This community has supported me and my family during a difficult and challenging time,” Barron said. “I am very grateful for the concern shown. I am also most appreciative of the wonderful medical attention I have received literally from coast to coast. I want to thank President Susan Hunter and Director Karlton Creech for their support, and would like to publicly recognize the outstanding job Amy Vachon and the women’s basketball staff have done over the past year.”
This past January, Barron took a medical leave of absence from coaching the women’s basketball team. He underwent successful craniotomy surgery at Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center in Los Angeles on July 13. At this time, Barron is still working with doctors and is unsure on his plans after June 30, 2018.
“It’s great to see how much Coach Barron’s health has improved in the last five months since his surgery,” said Vachon. “We are extremely happy that he is feeling better and is able to begin contributing to the University of Maine once again. We will continue to support both Coach Barron and his family through this journey.”
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