Arkansas Business

This story is from the archives of ArkansasSports360.com.

Terry Mohajir is back where he started.

Mohajir, a former Arkansas State football player, was named as the school's athletic director Wednesday. He comes to ASU from Kansas where he served as a senior associate athletic director.

“I’m right back where I started my athletics career,” Mohajir said before getting emotional at the podium. “I’m so excited to be back and serve this emerging university as your director of athletics.”

A 90-day plan will be implemented by Mohajir to evaluate the athletic department. Building the budget is at the top the list, he said.

Mohajir is a 1992 graduate of ASU and former defensive player who has worked at Kansas since May 2011 as senior associate athletics director for external relations. Prior to working with the Jayhawks, Mohajir worked seven years at Sun Belt Conference member Florida Atlantic and helped lead a $70 million fundraising campaign for a new football stadium.

“We found an Indian to move the Red Wolves forward,” Arkansas State Chancellor Tim Hudson said before introducing Mohajir (Mo-HAH-jur) as the school's 11^th athletic director. “We are ready to move forward. We think we have found somebody to help us make that jump. He is somebody that has battled and bled in Liberty Bank Stadium.”

Mohajir, a native of Overland Park, Kan., was a starter at strong safety for Arkansas State, then known as the Indians, from 1990-93 after being recruited by Larry Lacewell. Mohajir said he likely wouldn’t have even attended college if not for the scholarships provided by ASU.

“I truly believe there is a lot of optimism surrounding this university and athletics program throughout the state and the country,” Mohajir said. “I’ve been watching the last 20 years since I left and it continues to emerge.”

Mohajir’s return to Jonesboro comes 20 years after he held an internship in ASU’s athletic department under Charlie Thorton.

“I’m right back where I started my athletics career,” Mohajir said.

Mohajir succeeds Dean Lee, who was reassigned within ASU’s system in August. ASU undertook a nationwide search that explored sitting, former and aspiring athletic directors Hudson said, with applicants and nominations being received from “practically every athletic conference you can think of."

Mohajir made a guarantee his administration will not be “outworked” by anyone in the nation and they will “be quick, but won’t hurry,” to achieve his goals.