Seth Woodcock has been named interim athletic director at the University of Maine.

UMaine President Paul Ferguson made the announcement Tuesday afternoon.

Woodcock, currently the university’s associate athletic director for development and a senior development officer, will take over for outgoing AD Steve Abbott on Nov. 18.

A national search for the next permanent athletic director is expected to bear fruit in early 2014. Candidates will visit the Orono campus later this fall and meet with a search committee chaired by Robert Strong, a professor of finance and the university’s NCAA faculty representative.

Abbott, who served three years on an interim basis, announced in early September that he would return to a job he formerly held as Chief of Staff to U.S. Sen. Susan Collins.

In a prepared statement, Woodcock said, “I am humbled and honored to accept President Ferguson’s appointment as interim athletics director at the University of Maine – my alma mater. Our coaches, administrators and staff at Maine’s only Division I athletic program will progress as a team in an atmosphere of integrity, trust and hard work. We will continue to develop and produce quality student-athletes and a nationally recognized athletic program for our fans.”

A 1999 graduate with a degree in mass communication, Woodcock joined the university in 2012 after serving as a major gift officer for Maine Medical Center in Portland. From 2000-2002, he was a legislative aide to Maine Senate President Rick Bennett, currently head of the state’s Republican Party.

Woodcock lives in Windham but will reside in Orono during his interim appointment.

Glenn Jordan can be contacted at 791-6425 or at: Gjordan@pressherald.com

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