Carleton has completed another of many steps in the revival of Ravens football by hiring former Ravens all-star Thomas Timlin as manager of football operations, Carleton’s director of recreation and athletics Jennifer Brenning confirmed Sept 14.
Timlin beat out close to 30 applicants to land the position, Brenning said.
“His 24-year work experience in project management and marketing, as well as his knowledge of football, the alumni, and [being] an active member of the revival steering committee,” made Timlin the right candidate for the job, Brenning said in an email.
Timlin spent four years at Carleton, during which time he won many accolades as an athlete. He remains the only football player in Carleton’s history to have his number retired by the school.
“It’s a great opportunity for me. I’ve been looking forward to football back at Carleton for several years,” Timlin said.
Timlin will officially start work Sept. 15, Brenning said, in what is sure to be the start of a busy schedule for the program, which reached its fundraising goal in July. The football organization will be run by Old Crows Football Inc., comprised of a board directors as well as members of Carleton’s administration.
“The priorities for me will be developing a stable financial model for the program, hiring a head coach, ensuring we have the facilities to accommodate the football program and building the awareness of football at Carleton,” Timlin said.
The previous incarnation of the team was shut down in 1998 due to a combination of funding issues and poor on-field performances.
Timlin dismissed job security concerns in becoming involved with a team that had previously folded.
“Once a head coach is hired, the program may go in different directions but that’s not a really big concern of mine,” he said. “I know the football business.”
Timlin said he is also hoping to bring his experience as head coach of the Ontario East U18 team to help the Ravens with recruiting.
“Recruiting early will be a big factor in getting top recruits,” he said. “The U18s will be eligible for the 2012 season and there will be a few for the 2013 season involved in the provincial level and most of those kids are the kids we will be looking to [recruit],” Timlin said. “Obviously when the head coach comes in, [recruiting] will be his first priority.”
At this point, however, Timlin said the emphasis remains on spreading the news about the team, and “just making sure kids in the local community [know] Carleton will coming back in 2013.”
The final decision to hire Timlin was made by the football operations committee, according to Brenning. The committee was made up of Brenning, Old Crows Football Inc. members Chris Thompson and Kevin McKerrow, Ed Kane, assistant vice-president of university services, and Bob Rumscheidt, head of interuniversity sports programs at Carleton.
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