Two athletic aides leave

Two upper-level associates of former Athletic Director Michael McNeely have left the department weeks following McNeely's abrupt resignation. Chief Financial Officer Jason Lewis and Assistant Athletics Director of Personnel and Administration Lauren Rochet, among McNeely's first hires as AD, are out of their Assembly Hall offices as the department continues to restructure since McNeely's departure.\nNeither was forced out, IU officials said.\nAssistant Athletic Director Jeff Fanter said Lewis left under his own will. Fanter would not comment further. \n"I don't speak for Jason Lewis," he said.\nDirector of Executive Services Terri Smithson, who is an assistant for Interim Athletic Director Terry Clapacs, said Lewis is still under employment by the University but just not as the CFO. Smithson said she didn't know Lewis' new position. Lewis could not be reached for comment Thursday, and Clapacs was traveling and unavailable for comment.\nLewis' former duties have been taken on by Associate Athletic Director and Financial Business Office Manager Kevin Clark and others, Smithson said. Clark did not return phone calls made to his office.\nLewis and Rochet were hired in August of 2001, shortly after McNeely began his 16-month tenure as athletic director, which ended with his resignation Nov. 8. \nRochet, who came with McNeely from the NFL's San Diego Chargers, said her decision to leave the University was part of an agreement.\n"I am not working (at IU) anymore," Rochet said. "(My leaving) was a mutual understanding."\nRochet would not comment further.\nRochet was a special assistant to McNeely with the Chargers as community relations manager from August of 1999 to August of 2001. \nThis year Lewis was to make $112,050, while Rochet was to make $44,094.