Troy University’s search for its next sports information director has been narrowed to three candidates and while athletic director Steve Dennis is keeping those names sealed he says he feels very pleased with the applicants still in the running.

“I was very proud of the pool of applicants,” Dennis said. “They are experienced and each have good qualities that we are looking for.”

Troy SID position was left vacant after Ricky Hazel accepted Stetson University’s offer to become Assistant Director of Athletic Communications in October.

The search for a replacement began immediately and an announcement on Hazel’s predecessor could be announced next week.

“We have some high touted people in the mix,” said Dennis. “Our committee assigned to finding a new SID went through the pool and researched their histories and we feel good about what we have.”

Dennis said that on top of experience the committee was looking for an array of qualities in each candidate.

“We looked at how they would fit at our university,” he said. “Obviously, experience is key but also how in tune they were with social media and the ability to coordinate all sports.”

The responsibilities of a sports information director include a number of publicity efforts relating to external media relations.

Graduate assistant Matt Mayes has handled the position since Hazel’s departure.