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University of Arizona President Dr. Robert Shelton, left, speaks with Athletic Director Greg Byrne, center, and Erika Barnes, right, during the state of the university held at the Student Union ballroom on November 4, 2010.Β 

Greg Byrne is bolting to Alabama, leaving stunned Arizona Wildcats fans to wonder who will replace him as athletic director.

For now, the answer is simple.

Erika Hanson Barnes was named the Wildcats’ interim AD on Monday. The Star reported Byrne’s decision to leave for Alabama on Sunday night, shortly before the Crimson Tide announced that athletic director Bill Battle was retiring because of health reasons. Byrne reportedly spent Saturday in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, where he received the blessing of Crimson Tide football coach Nick Saban.

The UA will now turn to Barnes, who has risen from the UA’s marketing department to the top of the McKale Center food chain over the last 11-plus years. She currently serves as the UA's senior associate athletic director.

Following are six things you need to know about Barnes.


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