UConn looking at athletic director’s performance

STORRS, Conn. (AP) — University of Connecticut President Susan Herbst confirms the school is evaluating the performance of its athletic department.

Herbst issued a statement Sunday after The Day of New London reported the school is looking to buy out the contract of athletic director Jeff Hathaway.

Herbst, who became UConn’s president in June, says the school is evaluating issues including academic performance, NCAA compliance and fundraising.

The Journal Inquirer of Manchester reported Friday that the school has brought in an outside firm to take a look at the department.

The probe comes after a year in which UConn sent its football team to a BCS bowl game, its baseball team to a super regional and both its basketball programs to the Final Four, with the men winning that program’s third national championship.