[Rosiak's Blog] MU officially begins AD search

[ToddRosiakSays]

MU officially begins AD search
Although former athletic director Bill Cords has been gone nearly a year, Marquette University is only now advertising to fill the position.

MU officials on Friday formally sent the word out that the school is looking for a replacement for Cords.

Here in part is what the university is looking for:

"The mission of Marquette University's Department of Intercollegiate Athletics is to strive for excellence in academics, athletics, leadership, and service to others in the Jesuit tradition, while embracing equity in opportunity, good sportsmanship, and ethical conduct.  In keeping with this mission, the purpose of intercollegiate athletics is to provide a quality program which will challenge and develop the physical, mental and personal abilities of student-athletes; encourage them to complete their college degrees; foster the elements of integrity, sportsmanship and fair play; promote physical fitness, sports participation and athletics excellence; provide scholarships for a selected number of young people to secure a college education; engender school spirit among students, faculty, staff, alumni, and friends; enhance the name of Marquette University; provide entertainment to spectators; and generate revenues to help defray the costs of the athletics program. This is to be done within the stated policies of Marquette University, the BIG EAST Conference and the NCAA."

Steve Cottingham, a top Marquette official who has been acting as interim athletic director, said the school held off seeking a new athletic director because university officials felt the school was already headed in the right direction. As examples, Cottingham said the men's and women's basketball program both had national profiles, and the school was making strides in many of the 14 sports the school supports.

Additionally, Cottingham said the athletic department's Blue and Gold Fund had raised more than $3 million last year for scholarships.

Cottingham said he anticipated the school would attract candidates from around the country. He said he would not be a candidate for the position, nor would any of the coaches in the athletic department.

Cottingham said he hoped a new athletic director would be hired by the end of the academic year.
http://blogs.jsonline.com/muhoops/archive/2007/11/30/mu-officially-begins-ad-search.aspx

[Sir Lawrence]

Um, let's be honest.  Numero uno is "and generate revenues to help defray the costs of the athletics program."  Funny how that gets listed last.

[jutaw22mu]

I think I might apply.  Hey you never know!

[PuertoRicanNightmare]

Do you have to be related to one of our current coaches?

[Marquette84]

Perhaps its a coincidence, but Pitt announced today that Steve Pederson was returning as AD to Pitt.  Not that I think that MU had sights on Pederson, but Pitt moved pretty quickly when a quality candidate came up.

Pederson legacy at Pitt is similar to Cords' at MU--he brought in Ben Howland and drove the efforts to get the Peterson center built--both moves helped to make Pitt Basketball the success they have today.

The one interesting thing about the timing of MU's announcement is that it comes at a time when ADs at football schools are typically changing jobs e.g. Pedereson leaving Nebraska.  If MU were looking for someone from a top basketball program, they probably wouldn't be looking until March or April.