McDonald, Woolard and Worley.

They could be the names of a famous basketball frontcourt combination or partners in a prestigious law firm. In reality, they are the last best hopes to fortify the University of Maine athletic department.

John “Jack” McDonald, Doug Woolard and James “Butch” Worley are athletic administrators who have been chosen as the finalists for the director of athletics position at the University of Maine.

The names of the finalists, all of whom possess strong athletics leadership backgrounds at Division I schools, were announced Wednesday by Charles “Chick” Rauch, the UMaine vice president for business and finance and chairman of the university’s search committee. The trio emerged from a field of 62 applicants.

McDonald is the director of athletics and recreation at the University of Denver; Woolard is the associate director of athletics for external affairs at Washington State University; and Worley is associate athletics director for administration at the University of Texas.

“All three candidates have great potential,” Rauch said in a press release. “They are aware of the problems and challenges of UMaine athletics and want to participate as we move ahead in a positive manner and in the tradition of the best in Maine athletics.”

McDonald, a 43-year-old native of Braintree, Mass., is entering his fifth year as the director of athletics and recreation at the University of Denver. During his tenure, he has already developed a fund-raising program that tripled gifts to $300,000 and restructured department operations, including implementation of a compliance process that put a full-time compliance officer, computerization of team rosters and student-athletes’ academic progress.

McDonald, who earned B.A. in economics from Boston College in 1973 and a master’s of education degree from Springfield College (1984), has improved athletic publications, event presentation and travel; increased corporate sponsorship and broadcast properties; and improved athletic facilities at Denver.

As an undergrad at BC, McDonald captained two Eagle cross country and track teams and claimed three New England championships in the mile. He coached the successful men’s and women’s track and cross country teams at BC from 1978 to 1987.

Woolard, 44, has represented Washington State’s athletic department in fund-raising, marketing, promotions, special events planning and public relations since he joined the staff as an assistant athletic director in 1988.

As a member of WSU’s Executive Staff, his duties have included making decisions involving personnel, fiscal accountability and daily operations. He also worked with that group with matters pertaining to NCAA regulations and legislation.

Woolard is a 1968 graduate of Carbondale (Ill.) Community High School, where he played football, basketball and baseball. In 1973, he earned a B.A. in physical education from Southern Illinois, where he played basketball.

Prior to Washington State, Woolard served as the director of athletics at Carbondale (Ill.) Community High School from 1978-88. He also coached Carbondale’s varsity basketball team for 13 seasons.

The 40-year-old Worley has begun his 13th year as the associated athletics director for administration at the University of Texas. Prior to landing that job, he worked for more than two years as an NCAA enforcement representative, including a brief stint as the assistant director of enforcement.

A native of Greenville, Texas, his responsibilities include: supervising compliance procedures; preparing and administering budgets in several areas; directing the academic support staff; overseeing the Longhorn Foundation and its $4 million annual income; recruiting and hiring of 30-plus administrative and support staff members.

Worley boasts a diverse educational background, having earned a B.A. in political science and history in 1976, then a master’s degree in education in 1977 from Austin College in Texas. Worley went on to the Texas Tech School of Law, graduating Cum Laude with a doctorate in jurisprudence in 1983.

Worley lettered in football and baseball at Austin College.

Each of the candidates will be scheduled for two days of campus and community interviews in mid-to-late September. A source at the university said the process could begin as early as Friday, Sept. 9.

Upon completion of the interview process, the search committee will present to UMaine President Frederick Hutchinson the names of candidates it considers to have the unique experiences, characteristics and abilities the university is seeking for the position. Hutchinson will make the final selection.

The hopefuls…

Jack McDonald, 43, Dir. of Athletics and Rec., Univ. of Denver

Doug Woolard, 44, Assoc. Athletic Director, Washington State

Butch Worley, 40, Assoc. Athletic Director for Admin., Texas