In an exclusive interview with The Laurinburg Exchange on Friday, recently-resigned St. Andrews director of athletics Brian Mand said he believed he had accomplished what he set out to do at SAPC, and that it was simply time for him to pursue a new challenge.

Mand signed a two-year deal when he came to St. Andrews in 2007, and that contract is now up. Appreciative of his time at the school, Mand did not want to cheat St. Andrews by retaining the title of AD while seeking other jobs.

"I just feel, at this time, it's in my best interest to pursue other opportunities," said Mand. "I didn't think it was fair to the college... It's difficult for me to be pursuing other opportunities when I'm sitting in the athletic director's chair.

"There are some other positions and opportunities I'm involved in. It's hard to do that and run the day-to-day operations [at St. Andrews]."

Mand said that he would make himself available to St. Andrews, to help in any way he can, while the school makes the transition of finding its next athletic director.

"I'll be here in town, in and out, for the next couple of months," said Mand. "As they need me, I'll be available to them.

"My last day of running the day-to-day operations was (Friday)."

The ongoing dispute between SACS (the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools) and St. Andrews was acknowledged by Mand. A battled that has been taken to the courts will eventually decide whether the school — whose financial stability was brought into question by SACS — can remain accredited.

Mand seemed confident that St. Andrews’ standing with SACS will be fully restored, and this situation was not a factor in his leaving the school.

"The difficulties brought on by the SACS accreditation situation, I feel sure that St. Andrews will get through it," he said. "We've worked through it the best we can, and I think we've made significant progress... There's no smoking gun."

Mand's work at St. Andrews during his two years there included reviving the Knights Club, adding corporate sponsorships at the school and stressing that SAPC's athletes and teams become more active in the community.

Mand said he worked as hard as he could, and believes that he left the athletic program in better shape for his successor.

"Rejuvenating the Knights Club, the quality of the student-athletes and their competitiveness and positive influence in the community," said Mand. "The last two student-body presidents have been athletes.

"I feel I've established a very good foundation for someone to build upon. People can judge, but I think my record speaks on its own."