Trib: Spetman Stresses His Experience in Interview

[GarySJ]

His position was changed as a part of sweeping and, IMHO, knee-jerk changes incorporated by a new administration.  Fans truly miss him as do the athletes and coaches. He has presided over the funding and building of a world class athletic center. He has succeeded in making significant facilities improvements. He is truly a quality all-around individual.

Hmm... this sounds oddly familiar, somehow.

[smazza]

we need  someone to straighten out athletic dept  and stop bleeding

[CyberBull]

Hmm... this sounds oddly familiar, somehow.

If you are referring to Paul Griffin there are not many similarities.

1. Griffin was directly involved in the situation that forced the new administration to act.

2. Griffin was respected in the community but not necessarily well liked. His personality did not mesh well with the job of being a spokesman for the athletic program. The department is in dire need of a salesman.

3. Griffin's fundraising abilities were mediocre at best. It was LRS who raised the money for the new athletic facilities and it was under LRS's watch that the University made a serious committment to athletics.

4. The athletic facility was supposed to be built by 2001 but we had hardly even raised $2million during Griffin's last days, for what was then a $6-million dollar project.

With that said, Griffin's strength was in his long term vision and master plan for the athletics program.  With LRS we never heard a vision for the future that tied in with specific goals.

The department needs someone who can sell the program to the region but just as importantly someone who can give us tangible goals to work toward.

[GarySJ]

1. Griffin was directly involved in the situation that forced the new administration to act.

Absolutely. He attempted to handle the complaint within his own department -- which is EXACTLY what university policy at the time dictated. The front office fired Griffin for it and called their own policies inadequate, without ever mentioning that Griffin's actions were in accordance with the policies.

All I wanted to say is that we shouldn't be concerned about this "scandal". It's quite easy for a person to be made a scapegoat through no fault of his own, and end up carrying an unfair stigma. Spetman could end up being a real gem. Apparently we'll find out one way or the other, as several schools are interested in him. I'm sure he'll be an AD somewhere next season.

The department needs someone who can sell the program to the region but just as importantly someone who can give us tangible goals to work toward.

That I can agree with. Both Griffin and Selmon had their strong and weak suits. We need a guy who can provide Griffin's leadership and vision, as well as Selmon's sense for fundraising and marketing the program. Fortunately, I think we have an excellent pool of finalists to choose from.