What is a college althetic star worth?

[Tugg Speedman]

http://espn.go.com/college-sports/story/_/id/12041660/hunter-lochman-michigan-wolverines-chief-marketing-officer-resigns

ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- The Michigan athletic department shed another tie to erstwhile director Dave Brandon on Wednesday with the resignation of chief marketing officer Hunter Lochmann.

A school spokesman said Lochmann left Michigan "to pursue other opportunities."

A week ago, Lochmann made controversial comments about the impact of individual student-athletes on the athletic department's marketability. He said the power of star players like former quarterback Denard Robinson was "fleeting" during a discussion about whether or not college athletes should be paid at the IMG Intercollegiate Athletics Forum.

"At Michigan, it's the block M that has the infinity and power, not Denard Robinson," Lochmann said, according to a story from SportsBusiness Daily. "Those are fleeting, four-year relationships, but it's the block M that's been there for over 150 years."

Lochmann was hired as the athletic department's first chief marketing officer in December 2010. His position was created less than a year into Brandon's five-year tenure as Michigan's athletic director. Brandon resigned under intense public scrutiny in late October.

Among the criticisms that led to public protests and digital petitions calling for Brandon's firing was a perception that the former Dominos Pizza CEO cared more about enhancing Michigan's athletic brand than what was best for fans, alumni or student-athletes.

The spokesman from Michigan did not say whether Brandon's departure or Lochmann's recent comments had any impact on the latter's decision this week to leave the university.