Greensboro recently eliminated the full-time position of director of athletics as part of a college restructuring prompted by financial difficulties.

The school eliminated seven full-time and three part-time faculty and staff positions last week as part of what officials described as a “recovery plan” to stabilize the 171-year-old institution.

Among the positions eliminated was the post held since 1989 by Kim Strable, the school’s first and only full-time athletics director. The school said a coach would assume Strable’s duties.

“Like many other institutions, Greensboro College has been experiencing tough economic times,” said Paul Leslie, the college’s vice president for academic affairs. “Leadership at the college had to make some very difficult decisions. This change does not reflect Mr. Strable’s job performance but rather the fact that Greensboro College must restructure itself according to financial reality.”

Leslie said Jean Lojko, associate director of athletics, would lead the program until a coach is selected to assume the director’s duties.

The college also eliminated its budget for part-time faculty salaries and increased faculty course loads, among other steps aimed at financial stability.

“The personnel reductions are part of a restructuring plan that makes appropriate personnel adjustments based on the size of the college,” Leslie told Greensboro faculty and staff during a July 23 assembly. “These adjustments eliminate the budget pressures that manifested themselves in recent years due to the declining enrollment of our full-time traditional students.

“Our goal is to be financially realistic while also keeping the most experienced faculty – our full-time faculty – in the classrooms.”

The school said the actions also would permit reducing a 20 percent salary cut announced last spring by half.

As athletics director, Strable oversaw expansion of sport sponsorship from eight to 16 teams, including football. He also served on the Division III Men’s Soccer Committee. Under Strable’s leadership Greensboro co-hosted the 2004 and 2005 Division III Men’s and Women’s Soccer Championships with the city of Greensboro.

He had just begun a second term as president of the USA South Athletic Conference.

“I am disappointed to be leaving so many great people associated with Greensboro College but am extremely grateful for the privilege of providing 20 years of service there,” Strable said. “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.”