Just got email: Larry Williams
From Pilarz:
"Currently the Athletic Director at the University of Portland, Larry brings outstanding experience to our university community and has demonstrated his commitment to developing students to become leaders in service to others. While at Portland, he was able to combine athletic success with academic achievements. Under his leadership, Portland achieved a national championship in women's soccer and the university's first-ever national ranking for men's basketball, baseball and tennis—and just as importantly, student-athletes improved their academic performance and notched important accomplishments in the classroom and in their academic disciplines. Larry's personal and professional success is rooted in principles and values familiar to you as Marquette students: excellence, faith, leadership, and service"
Williams was a two-time all American football player at the University of Notre Dame, graduating in 1985 with a bachelor of arts degree. He played professional football in the NFL from 1985 to 1993, while at the same time earning a law degree from the University of San Diego School of Law in 1992. He then practiced law for the Indianapolis-based law firm of Baker & Daniels, before returning to Notre Dame in 1999 to work on licensing and product marketing for the Athletics Department.
http://www.marquette.edu/omc/newscenter/12-05-2011-williams.php
We hired a freaking ND guy??
Sounds like just the guy to lead us back to the mid majors ?-(
denverMU will soil himself.
I bet the ratio of people who rip this hire on here is 10:1 without having any clue who the guy is.
Quote from: Z F-B on December 05, 2011, 08:06:29 PM
Buzz's kin?
Nah, that's somethin' only the departed would do.
Quote from: SoCalwarrior on December 05, 2011, 08:08:35 PM
Sounds like just the guy to lead us back to the mid majors ?-(
Using that logic, our President is going to lead us back to Division III.
"He played professional football in the NFL from 1985 to 1993, while at the same time earning a law degree from the University of San Diego School of Law in 1992."
I'm sorry but that is pretty impressive.
Quote from: The Sultan of South Wayne on December 05, 2011, 08:09:10 PM
I bet the ratio of people who rip this hire on here is 10:1 without having any clue who the guy is.
His resume looks to be very impressive.
"After an initial pool of more than 80 interested candidates, the field was narrowed to 10 personal interviews, with two final candidates visiting campus before the selection was made."
This wasn't no lazy hire. I trust MU did their homework.
I'm all for supporting the new AD. I knew one of the final 10 and was really pulling for him (totally biased, of course). Since he didn't get it, lets rally around Mr. Williams as he tries to put MU in the best position athletically going forward.
Quote from: turk17 on December 05, 2011, 08:12:12 PM
"He played professional football in the NFL from 1985 to 1993, while at the same time earning a law degree from the University of San Diego School of Law in 1992."
I'm sorry but that is pretty impressive.
I dunno man, once you're there you can pretty much mail it in for that law degree.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"He played professional football in the NFL from 1985 to 1993, while at the same time earning a law degree from the University of San Diego School of Law in 1992."
I'm sorry but that is pretty impressive.
--Agreed, I did one of those and it was tough, also it was not playing in the NFL.
Quote from: The Sultan of South Wayne on December 05, 2011, 08:09:10 PM
I bet the ratio of people who rip this hire on here is 10:1 without having any clue who the guy is.
Sounds about right.
Quote from: SoCalwarrior on December 05, 2011, 08:08:35 PM
Sounds like just the guy to lead us back to the mid majors ?-(
Give the guy a shot...did the hiring of Buzz a couple years ago set Marquette basketball back? The school probably feels he is a young up and comer.
Anyone know who was on the list of ten who were interviewed?
Congrats to Williams.
Quote from: Warriors10 on December 05, 2011, 08:16:58 PM
"After an initial pool of more than 80 interested candidates, the field was narrowed to 10 personal interviews, with two final candidates visiting campus before the selection was made."
This wasn't no lazy hire. I trust MU did their homework.
If he doesn't work out we'll still be able to celebrate "the process". I know some here prefer that to getting the right guy.
That said, his resume' is impressive. Is the ex Domer football guy coming here to bring back the glory that was the Golden Avalanche?
What do people think of Larry Williams being the new director of Athletics?
Good luck, Mr. Williams II. Impressive resume. I won't hold your ND pedigree against you if you do a good job. Welcome to MU.
Quote from: tower912 on December 05, 2011, 08:34:17 PM
Good luck, Mr. Williams II. Impressive resume. I won't hold your ND pedigree against you if you do a good job. Welcome to MU.
Welcome indeed, and I too will do my best to look past the ND history (if you do a great job). We all do foolish things when we're young....
Under Williams' leadership, the Portland Pilots won a NCAA Division I Championship in women's soccer in 2005, and earned top ten finishes in men's cross country and first-ever national rankings in men's basketball, baseball and tennis.
Pretty impressive IMO like that we got him
Welcome Larry. You look like a fantastic addition to the MU family. Lots to do; roll up the sleeves.
Quote from: drewm88 on December 05, 2011, 08:06:39 PM
Williams was a two-time all American football player at the University of Notre Dame, graduating in 1985 with a bachelor of arts degree. He played professional football in the NFL from 1985 to 1993, while at the same time earning a law degree from the University of San Diego School of Law in 1992. He then practiced law for the Indianapolis-based law firm of Baker & Daniels, before returning to Notre Dame in 1999 to work on licensing and product marketing for the Athletics Department.
http://www.marquette.edu/omc/newscenter/12-05-2011-williams.php
Let the "Marquette is bringing back football" rumors commence!
Pretty damn impressive. Think Pilarz got it right. Sad to see a good MU man like Cottingham go but at least we got a strong AD.
Looks like his son is following in his footsteps with offers from Cincinnati, Toledo and Eastern Michigan and is being recruited by Yale and Harvard.:
http://www.cleveland.com/hssports/blog/index.ssf/2011/11/st_ignatius_qb_eric_williams_f.html
They pulled him out of one Jesuit school to put him into another, though, so it's nice he has some familiarity with the Jesuit tradition :)
Best of luck on whatever it is you do here, Larry!
Is Broeker expected to go back to his old role?
He's bald too, so we're good.
Dude goes 6'6" 290, he would have had a good talk with Tim Maymon walking out the gym.
(http://portlandpilots.com/images/2009/8/14/Williams_Larry_2009Fall_web.jpg)
I, for one, I'm glad we are bringing in an "outsider." Welcome aboard!!
Now give us back our nickname!!!
Quote from: turk17 on December 05, 2011, 08:12:12 PM
"He played professional football in the NFL from 1985 to 1993, while at the same time earning a law degree from the University of San Diego School of Law in 1992."
I'm sorry but that is pretty impressive.
Nah, Steve Young did the same thing and he won a Super Bowl and a couple of MVPs. Piece of cake :D
Looks like he was a Guard in the NFL, and was a "bog boy (no homo)" with Pro Football Reference listing him in his playing days at 6'5" 292 lbs.
Very impressive resume, look forward to Mr. Williams joining Mr. Buzz and the rest of MU. Also awarded the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics AD of the Year award this year, so obviously respected amongst his peers. Also taught an undergrad Sports Marketing class at Portland, wonder if he will also teach a class at MU?
Quote from: chapman on December 05, 2011, 09:01:14 PM
Nah, Steve Young did the same thing and he won a Super Bowl and a couple of MVPs. Piece of cake :D
Looks like he was a Guard in the NFL, and was a "bog boy (no homo)" with Pro Football Reference listing him in his playing days at 6'5" 292 lbs.
Very impressive resume, look forward to Mr. Williams joining Mr. Buzz and the rest of MU. Also awarded the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics AD of the Year award this year, so obviously respected amongst his peers. Also taught an undergrad Sports Marketing class at Portland, wonder if he will also teach a class at MU?
what would Joe T do then? ?-(
Quote from: SoCalwarrior on December 05, 2011, 08:08:35 PM
Sounds like just the guy to lead us back to the mid majors ?-(
I assume you mean a mid-major like Butler that has gone to two consecutive Final Fours?
From the outset, it seems like this guy had plenty of cred & qualifications.
Let's keep the "jump to conclusions" mat stored up for a bit yet.
Quote from: TrueBlueAndGold on December 05, 2011, 08:49:36 PM
Is Broeker expected to go back to his old role?
from Broeker's twitter
QuoteDepartment's flag fball team just got WAY better. Welcome Larry! Looking forward to running behind you. #groundandpound (I'm a Jets fan)
https://twitter.com/#!/mikebroeker/status/143875145658933248 (https://twitter.com/#!/mikebroeker/status/143875145658933248)
Quote from: The Sultan of South Wayne on December 05, 2011, 08:09:10 PM
I bet the ratio of people who rip this hire on here is 10:1 without having any clue who the guy is.
Well, maybe not 10:1, but a significant amount of this:
http://www.youtube.com/v/UETwkMqtzMU&fs=1&source=uds
Quote from: Skatastrophy on December 05, 2011, 08:48:08 PM
Looks like his son is following in his footsteps with offers from Cincinnati, Toledo and Eastern Michigan and is being recruited by Yale and Harvard.:
http://www.cleveland.com/hssports/blog/index.ssf/2011/11/st_ignatius_qb_eric_williams_f.html
They pulled him out of one Jesuit school to put him into another, though, so it's nice he has some familiarity with the Jesuit tradition :)
Best of luck on whatever it is you do here, Larry!
According to Larry's bio on the Portland website, he currently has two other sons currently playing football for Yale. Mom (Larry's wife) was a national championship tennis player. Great athletic DNA.
http://www.portlandpilots.com/staff.aspx?staff=1&tab=athleticdirector
Quote from: warriorchick on December 05, 2011, 09:31:27 PM
Great athletic DNA.
Any five star basketball recruits in his family?
I hope for the best, my only trepidation is that a former NFL player and ND grad will view MU as a stepping stone. Hopefully his time at Portland has him viewing a non-football school as a potential destination and not just a short-term gig.
I love the hiring process!
in 5 years they will miss their family on the left coast...and the weather.
Good hire in the meantime, though
Quote from: drewm88 on December 05, 2011, 08:06:39 PM
Williams was a two-time all American football player at the University of Notre Dame, graduating in 1985 with a bachelor of arts degree. He played professional football in the NFL from 1985 to 1993, while at the same time earning a law degree from the University of San Diego School of Law in 1992. He then practiced law for the Indianapolis-based law firm of Baker & Daniels, before returning to Notre Dame in 1999 to work on licensing and product marketing for the Athletics Department.
http://www.marquette.edu/omc/newscenter/12-05-2011-williams.php
We hired a freaking ND guy??
The last guy was a Wisconsin grad with no athletics background. Appears to be a strong hire. He may not be here for 10 years, but he is obviously a smart man, understands athletics from a player and administrator background, has a law degree. What is there not to like? He is Cottingham but with a pulse and an athletics perspective. Seems like a good hire and one that was done with some due diligence and effort, unlike the last AD hire at Marquette.
Quote from: PuertoRicanNightmare on December 05, 2011, 08:52:43 PM
I, for one, I'm glad we are bringing in an "outsider." Welcome aboard!!
Now give us back our nickname!!!
Spot on, for both points. Seems as though some fans wanted Broeker to get the gig, but I'm happy MU went in a different direction. We needed someone from the outside, someone not around for this Summer's events and someone with some new blood and vision for MU.
It will be interesting to see if his NFL /ND football creds translate into a positive for the Warriors in the BCS football quagmire undermining the Big East.
Edit
Quote from: MerrittsMustache on December 05, 2011, 08:45:28 PM
Let the "Marquette is bringing back football" rumors commence!
Oh it's happening. trust me
Quote from: Ari Gold on December 06, 2011, 12:18:21 AM
Oh it's happening. trust me
Doubt it. Pilarz said in a student forum that as long as he is President we will not have football at Marquette.
Well, the guy already has two strikes on him (ND, lawyer) so let's hope for the best. He sounds like a hard worker. You'd think with his football pedigree he'd be interested in a football school, but maybe he'll just settle in and like it in Milwaukee - weather aside, there are a lot of worse places to be. Good luck to him and MU.
Solid hire. Living out here in the PNW, I have watched Portland rise in athletic visibility and prominence and Williams had a big hand in that. I hate Notre Dame as much as any good Jebbie supporter but give him credit, he has moved up big time in that ND and Portland are both Holy Cross affiliated. Welcome to the top of Catholic Academia, Mr. Williams.
Solid guy, solid hire. Love the Maymon comment. At 290, if Williams had been AD 2 years ago...what an image of him looking down on Tim Maymon while they discussed who was in charge at Marquette
Bring back the Warriors!! Bring back football!! If football $$ wags collegiate athletics, then MU needs to run with the big dogs.
Quote from: mugoose on December 05, 2011, 10:22:01 PM
in 5 years they will miss their family on the left coast...and the weather.
Good hire in the meantime, though
miss the weather in portland?? hope you're not a meteorologist err anything. this might be an upgrade weather-wise
Quote from: brewcity77 on December 05, 2011, 09:42:11 PM
I hope for the best, my only trepidation is that a former NFL player and ND grad will view MU as a stepping stone. Hopefully his time at Portland has him viewing a non-football school as a potential destination and not just a short-term gig.
If he gives five good years and moves on, that is fine. MU has too many people that never leave. Fresh blood is a good thing now and then.
Just in case any of you were unsure of just how incestuous college athletics admin is:
Prior to becoming U Portland's AD and right before a short stint in ND's GC/Compliance office, Larry worked at the same Indy law firm as Indiana's and Notre Dame's current ADs.
All in all, I agree with those of you who think this is a good hire, even if Larry has long-term "football school" aspirations.
I think that law firm does most of the work for the NCAA too. If so, that is probably a good thing. Having a lawyer in that position is nice, but unlike our last AD, this one has a background in the law that applies to the position.
Marquette simply needed a little distance from the legal questions of the past school year. Hiring from inside right now would send the wrong message. I strongly believe Marquette had more of a PR and process issue than a legal one.
Bringing a high profile attorney with AD and marketing experience is a no brainer. With multi-million dollar TV deals, mega bucks coaching contracts and realignment -- Marquette needs to lawyer up. Having someone with a strong background in college and pro football is a major asset. Larry Williams also has strong ties to another Big East institution – Notre Dame. That should help communication.
I don't see him as a long term AD at Marquette – just here a number of years to deal with a difficult transition time. Broeker can learn a great deal from him and end up getting the job on the next go around. The timing is just not right this time around.
LW reminds me a lot of the Packers CEO Mark Murphy. Both are former college and pro athletes -- both attorneys and both college athletic directors. Murphy has been a super hire and so will LW.
I graduated from MU in 1988 and my brother graduated from ND in 1985. My brother knew him and said "he was always a nice guy. He seemed to be the antithesis of an ND football player." I'm confident we made a good hire.
BTW, I really enjoy this board.
http://espn.go.com/college-sports/story/_/id/7321720/marquette-golden-eagles-name-former-nfl-player-larry-williams-new-ad
Good luck to the new driver of our bus.
BTW, I really enjoy this board.
[/quote]
+1
I don't know anything about the guy, but I trust that MU has a good idea what they were looking for. My guess is that question #1 in the interview was:
"With all of the conference realignment occurring, where do you envision Marquette in the next 5 years?"
He must have said something they like and believe.
I love his Portland experience, because he has some love and vision for non-revenue sports, and I think soccer and LAX are going to become increasing important for MU to keep a high profile. Those aren't really high profile sports, but being in the upper echelon will always keep the MU name out there.
Sure he's a great hire, but is he on twitter?
Quote from: mugoose on December 05, 2011, 10:22:01 PM
in 5 years they will miss their family on the left coast...and the weather.
Good hire in the meantime, though
Really? Miss the weather in Portland?
Quote from: Tulsa Warrior on December 06, 2011, 08:28:19 AM
Marquette simply needed a little distance from the legal questions of the past school year. Hiring from inside right now would send the wrong message. I strongly believe Marquette had more of a PR and process issue than a legal one.
We should find out what the Federal gov't has to say very soon. Today's Chicago Tribune about the hiring:
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-ap-bkc-marquette-newad,0,6697685.story
Gratuitous cheap reference by the Trib in this article.
Quote from: MUMac on December 06, 2011, 10:25:51 AM
Gratuitous cheap reference by the Trib in this article.
... That's the same AP story that ESPN ran.
Quote from: Skatastrophy on December 06, 2011, 10:26:33 AM
... That's the same AP story that ESPN ran.
Really a stupid reference. It does not tie in the hiring to this. Just 3 paragraphs that serve no purpose in the article.
Quote from: Hoopaloop on December 06, 2011, 10:12:54 AM
We should find out what the Federal gov't has to say very soon. Today's Chicago Tribune about the hiring:
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-ap-bkc-marquette-newad,0,6697685.story
Hmmm... continuous references to year-old allegations at MU while going out of one's way to defend Bo's saintly name... over the top histrionics directed at butchbadger... if it walks like a Chicos and quacks like a Chicos....
It ain't chicos.
TulsaWarrior, I think you nailed it the best of all the posts as to why Williams is a good hire for the position....given the issues and upcoming challenges facing MU athletics. He looks to be a great hire..... inspite of his Golden Dummer pedigree :)
Go Warriors!!!
Quote from: MU1988 on December 06, 2011, 08:59:39 AM
I graduated from MU in 1988 and my brother graduated from ND in 1985. My brother knew him and said "he was always a nice guy. He seemed to be the antithesis of an ND football player." I'm confident we made a good hire.
BTW, I really enjoy this board.
Dan?
Why is everyone ragging on the relatively mild weather in Portland. Sure there is a little more precipitation, depending on the time of year, but it trumps Milwaukee in my book.
http://www.weather.com/outlook/travel/vacationplanner/compare/results?from=vac_compare&clocid1=USWI0455&clocid2=USOR0275 (http://www.weather.com/outlook/travel/vacationplanner/compare/results?from=vac_compare&clocid1=USWI0455&clocid2=USOR0275)
Side note, Milwaukee is OVER
http://youtu.be/YlGqN3AKOsA (http://youtu.be/YlGqN3AKOsA)
Quote from: Hoopaloop on December 06, 2011, 10:12:54 AM
We should find out what the Federal gov't has to say very soon. Today's Chicago Tribune about the hiring:
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-ap-bkc-marquette-newad,0,6697685.story
If you're not Chicos, you might as well be his twin...
Chicos fanboy
Quote from: The Sultan of South Wayne on December 06, 2011, 02:22:51 PM
If you're not Chicos, you might as well be his twin...
As Socrates had his Plato, so Chicos has his Hoopaloop.
I know Larry and his family personally from ND he is legit, Marquette should be very happy today!
Can't believe the Crean-love in the AP story. I think we've done way more than "sustained our success" under Buzz. Why not bring up KO while you're at it.
Quote from: Blue Horseshoe on December 06, 2011, 01:10:09 PM
Why is everyone ragging on the relatively mild weather in Portland. Sure there is a little more precipitation, depending on the time of year, but it trumps Milwaukee in my book.
Having grown up in the pacific northwest, I would generally agree with you that I prefer the weather there compared to Milwaukee's extremes. They were responding however to someone that said he would miss the weather. So while I think it is slightly better, you won't miss it as if it were southern california weather and have it be the major reason for not staying in Milwaukee.
Looks like a great hire though, I'm really excited about the direction MU athletics seems to be heading.
Quote from: MUMac on December 06, 2011, 10:29:10 AM
Really a stupid reference. It does not tie in the hiring to this. Just 3 paragraphs that serve no purpose in the article.
Yes, it serves a purpose. The last AD left because of the sexual assault scandal. The federal gov't is investigating us right now. A new AD has been named and a journalist would not be providing the unvarnished story without explaining why the last guy left and what the new guy is walking into. Our new President at MU there was also a mention of the issues with the investigation. When the new AD was put in front of the media the other day, one of the first questions was about the investigations. Is that a stupid reference or cheap shot? It's part of the reality that MU faces right now, nothing more.
Quote from: Hoopaloop on December 10, 2011, 07:09:23 PM
Yes, it serves a purpose. The last AD left because of the sexual assault scandal. The federal gov't is investigating us right now. A new AD has been named and a journalist would not be providing the unvarnished story without explaining why the last guy left and what the new guy is walking into. Our new President at MU there was also a mention of the issues with the investigation. When the new AD was put in front of the media the other day, one of the first questions was about the investigations. Is that a stupid reference or cheap shot? It's part of the reality that MU faces right now, nothing more.
No, that was never connected in the article. If it was framed as you state, it would have had relevance. But, it was not. Thus, a stupid reference. Further, no where was it ever stated that Cottingham left because of the sexual assualt. The government's investigation is not because of this situation, as much as it is with how MU's prior policy as it applies to ANY sexual assault on campus.
Allie McGuire, the son of the late Marquette coach Al McGuire, chaired the school's search committee. Boston Celtics coach Doc Rivers, a former Marquette player and current school trustee, was a member of the committee.
"I was extremely impressed with Larry's fierce commitment to the values that have always distinguished Marquette, and to the vision he shares with Father Pilarz -- for our student athletes to have a transformational education and for our teams to succeed as national leaders in athletics," McGuire said in a statement. "He'll be a great fit at Marquette."
Allie and Doc...who else was on the committee?
And I think the seasons are better in Milwaukee, Wisconsin but the weather may be overall better in nearby Milwaukie, Oregon(e). ;)
Quote from: MUMac on December 10, 2011, 07:19:27 PM
No, that was never connected in the article. If it was framed as you state, it would have had relevance. But, it was not. Thus, a stupid reference. Further, no where was it ever stated that Cottingham left because of the sexual assualt. The government's investigation is not because of this situation, as much as it is with how MU's prior policy as it applies to ANY sexual assault on campus.
ESPN, the Chicago Tribune, Washington Post all went with the version that was discussed. I fail to see how it was not framed.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/colleges/marquette-names-former-notre-dame-nfl-player-larry-williams-new-athletic-director/2011/12/05/gIQAXKuDYO_story.html
It's framed in the first three paragraphs:
"He becomes the permanent replacement for Steve Cottingham, who resigned in June as school and athletic department officials faced questions about how they handled two cases of alleged sexual assault involving athletes."
Quote from: Hoopaloop on December 11, 2011, 12:14:48 PM
ESPN, the Chicago Tribune, Washington Post all went with the version that was discussed. I fail to see how it was not framed.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/colleges/marquette-names-former-notre-dame-nfl-player-larry-williams-new-athletic-director/2011/12/05/gIQAXKuDYO_story.html
It's framed in the first three paragraphs:
"He becomes the permanent replacement for Steve Cottingham, who resigned in June as school and athletic department officials faced questions about how they handled two cases of alleged sexual assault involving athletes."
I haven't heard a dead horse beaten this badly since Chicos was banned.