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GREENSBORO — Kim Strable, the first and only full-time athletics director in Greensboro College's history, was one of the casualties of last week's layoffs, school officials announced Tuesday.

The position of full-time athletics director was one of 10 eliminated at the 1,300-student private school, which is more than $19 million in debt.

Paul Leslie, Greensboro College's vice president for academic affairs and dean of the faculty, said the AD role is being merged with a coaching position to reduce costs. He said there will be an internal search and a replacement should be announced next week.

That would mirror the structure used at many other NCAA Division III schools, including Guilford College, where Tom Palombo serves as men's basketball coach and AD.

"Like many other institutions, Greensboro College has been experiencing tough economic times. Leadership at the college had to make some very difficult decisions," Leslie said in a statement released by the school. "This change does not reflect Mr. Strable's job performance, but rather the fact that Greensboro College must restructure itself according to financial reality.

"We are all very grateful to Kim Strable for 20 years of passionate and dedicated service to the Pride's student- athletes and the college."

Jean Lojko, Greensboro's associate athletics director and head volleyball coach, will serve as interim AD, Leslie said.

Strable became the Pride's first full-time athletics director in 1989 and oversaw the program's growth from eight to 16 teams, including the introduction of football in 1997.

First-year head football coach Randy Hunt worked with Strable on the committee that helped get the program off the ground a decade ago when Hunt was a faculty member.

"Unfortunately, he's not going to see a lot of the fruits of the labor," Hunt said. "He's been such a big part of Greensboro College athletics for so many years, it's really hard to imagine the athletics department without him."

Strable, who just started his second term as president of the USA South Conference, also is on the board of directors for the Greensboro Sports Commission and the marketing committee of the Greensboro Youth Soccer Association. He previously worked as an administrator and coach at Albion and Guilford colleges.

Hunt said he spoke with Strable since the decision to eliminate the position was made and that "to be honest, he handled it quite well, much better than I could. That's the way athletics is — nothing is forever — and Kim understands that."

"I am disappointed to be leaving so many great people associated with Greensboro College," Strable said in a statement released by the school, "but am extremely grateful for the privilege of providing 20 years of service there. Hard times can bring out the best in people, and I am especially hopeful for a positive outcome for our Pride coaches and student-athletes."

Contact Tom Keller at 373-7034 or tom.keller@news-record.com