North County Times
By Dan Hayes

San Diego State announced the resignation of athletic director Jeff Schemmel on Thursday.

The school investigated Schemmel’s travel expense records after The San Diego Union-Tribune inquired about an attempt to subpoena the records as part of an Alabama man’s divorce proceedings. According to the newspaper, John David Lineberger’s wife, Carolyn, testified in a deposition that she met Schemmel for multiple trysts in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, and Point Clear, Ala.

Carolyn Lineberger also testified that Schemmel told her he had no university business in Point Clear except to see her. But his travel records showed he requested university reimbursement for the rental car and gas he used to drive 330 miles from Atlanta to Point Clear to see her in January, the newspaper reported.

“I have accepted his resignation. Jeff and I agree that this is in the best interest of our athletic program and San Diego State,” university president Stephen Weber said in a statement.

“This is a setback for our athletic program, but one we will overcome,” Weber said.

Schemmel, 55, was placed on paid administrative leave last week while the university continued its investigation. Webber said San Diego State’s investigation into the matter is over. The amount in question was about $400, according to radio station KOGO. Webber said the amount has been repaid.

Weber said San Diego State will conduct a national search and hopes to have a new athletic director by March 1.

Schemmel, who is married, earned $257,000 annually. Earlier this year, his contract had been extended for three years through June 2013.

Schemmel was hired in July 2005.

He came to San Diego State after serving as associate commissioner for governance and legal affairs for Conference USA. Before that he was a senior associate athletic director at the University of Minnesota from 1994-2003 and an associate athletic director at Kansas State from 1988-91.