Stoner Applies to Become Fullerton AD Again

Neale Stoner has applied for the Cal State Fullerton athletic director job, but two others mentioned as prominent candidates have withdrawn their names from consideration.

Stoner, the Fullerton athletic director from 1973-79 and now executive director of the California Raisin Bowl, said he expects to meet with Fullerton officials to discuss the job sometime in June.

“There’s a question as to whether I want to get back into that business, but there is interest on my part,” Stoner said. “It’s certainly a job I know a lot about and care about. If it looks good, who knows? But from their perspective, I may not be the perfect fit.”

Lynn Eilefson, Titan athletic director from 1982-85, and Sonoma State Athletic Director Ralph Barkey, who worked under Fullerton President Milton Gordon when Gordon was at Sonoma State, said they were interested in the job in February after Ed Carroll resigned.

Steve DiTolla, associate athletic director, was named to fill the position on an interim basis; he is not a candidate for the permanent position.

Barkey, the Titan Athletic Foundation director in 1978-79, said he received a letter from Barbara Stone, chairperson of the search committee, asking him to apply.

“But I indicated that I didn’t think I wanted to be considered,” Barkey said. “I don’t want to get into the reasons. I think the world of their program and wish them the best.”

Eilefson, a private fund-raising consultant in Fresno, said he withdrew when he learned Stoner was a candidate.

“Neale is too good a friend, and we’ve known each other for a long, long time,” Eilefson said. “I don’t want to compete with him.”