CEDAR FALLS - Mike Waddell looked ready to press the flesh, kiss the babies and campaign for a job Friday.

Yet, well before the athletic director hopeful canvassed the University of Northern Iowa's campus, colleagues did some stumping for him.

"He's a dynamic, personable guy and a natural leader. I'm a big fan of his," said longtime University of Cincinnati swimming coach Monty Hopkins of Waddell, who currently oversees several of the Big East school's Olympic sports.

Despite the praise of his current co-workers, Waddell seeks a change of address. And, during a lengthy meet-and-greet with faculty, fans and the media Friday, Waddell made it clear he seeks a move to the 50613 zip code.

Waddell said a colleague told him recently that UNI's athletic director post "is something I should really go after. And I agree after two days.

"The staff here, though small in size, packs a bite," added Waddell, 39, currently a senior associate director of athletics at Cincinnati. "What I would bring to the processs is a clear vision to take (UNI) to the next level."

Waddell is the fourth candidate to visit Cedar Falls in hopes of replacing the departed Rick Hartzell, who resigned from his post with the Panthers in January. Campus visits by candidates will conclude Tuesday, when Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union executive director Troy Dannen addresses the public.

Though relatively young by administrator's standards, Waddell, a 1991 Guilford (N.C.) College graduate, possesses a rather extensive resume. Its bullet-points include the following:

As a Cincinnati administrator the last two years, Waddell has directly overseen five non-revenue sports. Aiding the Bearcats' marketing, he also helped increase UC football attendance by 65 percent since 2006.

Prior to his stint in Cincinnati, Waddell worked as an associate athletics director at the University of Akron. There, he helped create the Zips Caravan, which marketed the program by making more than 300 stops throughout Ohio over a four-year period.

While working at Army earlier this decade, Waddell, then the director of marketing at West Point, helped the Black Knights land a broadcasting deal with the most listened to radio station in the nation - WABC-AM of New York City.

Waddell also worked at Appalachian State, from 1997-2000. There, he helped aid ASU's ascent to national prominence.

Waddell is confident his experience as a marketer in Boone, N.C., could pay dividends as a UNI Panther. That was one of the main talking points for the North Carolina native, who spoke with the authority of a CEO, along with a desire to add female athletic administrators.

His current colleagues describe Waddell as likeable, often light-hearted and inventive.

"What he brings to the table is he's innovative and creative," said Cincinnati men's and women's golf coach Janet Carl, speaking in a phone interview. "As Olympic-sport coaches, he gives us the freedom … and creative ways to raise money."

Currently, some Panther backers are becoming fearful of a men's sport falling victim to economics. Yet, Waddell's supporters indicate such a move is typically out of character for him, though his Cincinnati administration did recently eliminate women's rowing and replaced it with women's lacrosse.

"I've asked him, 'You know, swimming and diving, we've got targets on our back; Are we in any jeopardy?'" noted Hopkins, the longtime Cincinnati swimming coach. "(Waddell) said 'No. And if there were (cause for concern) I would tell you. And I'm telling you, there's not.'

"It's refreshing to have a guy that's really interested in your welfare," Hopkins added. "He would be a guy that would fight for us (as an Olympic sport)."

Waddell said when athletic administrators are faced with the prospects of cutting a sport, they must thoroughly examine the issue as a group.

"The budget problems will take hard work," said Waddell, who hopes to take over a UNI athletic department with a budget of slightly more than $10 million annually.

"We wanna be able to make decisions right now that will be the foundation for success - and that comes from a collaborative decision to solve what is obviously a real challenge for the University of Northern Iowa."

Despite some budget concerns and calls for better Title IX compliance, Waddell said he would embrace every element of leading Panther athletics.

"I see this as a unique challenge," he noted. "And one I look forward to embracing."

Contact Kelly Beaton at (319) 291-1456 or kelly.beaton@wcfcourier.com

The Waddell File

- Currently a senior associate director of athletics at the University of Cincinnati

- Has also worked - primarily in marketing roles - at Akron, Army, Appalachian State and briefly at North Carolina and Virginia.

- A 1991 grad of Guilford College in his native North Carolina, where he was a two-time letterman in football

- His wife, Heidi, is a USPTA tennis professional