Statement from UNL Chancellor Harvey Perlman

Lincoln, Neb. -- Oct. 15, 2007 --  University of Nebraska-Lincoln Chancellor Harvey Perlman today announced he has asked UNL Athletic Director Steve Pederson to step down from the post he has held since January 2003. Perlman said he believes Pederson is no longer positioned to move the Athletic Department forward.

“We are of course disappointed about the progress in our football program.  Steve has done many positive things for Husker Athletics during his tenure but I think only new leadership can objectively assess the state of our program and make the decisions necessary to move us forward,” Perlman said.

Pederson’s contract was renewed for five years at the end of July.   

“You make the best decision you can with the information you have,” Perlman said.  Since then, Perlman says he has noted a decline in morale in the Athletic Department, and growing concern about retention of key personnel.

Perlman said he will immediately initiate conversations to identify an interim Athletic Director with full authority to assess the state of the Athletic Department and its athletic programs and to make any decision necessary to advance those programs.  He also indicated his intention to consult with a national search consultant to begin the process for selection of a new permanent athletic director.   

“It is not clear how long such a process will take or its precise form.  It is important it be done expeditiously but thoughtfully,” Perlman said.

“The selection of Steve Pederson in 2003 as athletic director was widely thought to be the only clear choice because of his experience, his roots and his knowledge of our traditions.  I know Steve made the decisions he thought best for the interests of the program and the university. I am disappointed that I had to come to this decision.”

Statement from Steve Pederson

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"The University of Nebraska has been an incredibly special place to my family and me for more than three decades. Whether it was during my time as a Nebraska student, staff member or athletic director, I have always been tremendously proud to call myself a Cornhusker.

Being Nebraska’s athletic director was not merely a job for me. I viewed it as an honor and important duty to serve the Nebraska tradition of academic and athletic excellence. During the last five years we have enjoyed many successes and also faced a number of difficult challenges. In the midst of both, we always made our decisions based on what was in the very best interests of our university and its outstanding student-athletes.

On and off the field, we worked passionately and tirelessly to not just win, but win the right way. We can take great pride in the fact that Nebraska still sets the national standard when it comes to producing Academic All-Americans. We have been able to build state-of-the-art facilities like the North Stadium project, but in a financially responsible way. And we have hired new coaches and staff members who are dedicated to success on the field, in the classroom and in the lives of our student-athletes well after their last game has been played.

I would like to thank the great friends and supporters of Nebraska who have been loyal to us the whole way through. Finally, and most importantly, I want to thank our student-athletes, coaches and staff. It has been an honor to work with you and I wish you only the very best."