Phil Knight has asked Governor John Kitzhaber to remove his name from the pool of candidates to be chosen for the University of Oregon’s new independent governing board.

According to the Associated Press, Knight’s assistant said in a letter that Knight was honored, but would like his name removed. The letter mentions that Knight will continue to support the University.

Former UO President Dave Frohnmayer and Ann Aiken, a federal judge based in Eugene also asked to be removed from consideration.