Students chime in on athletic director search

Approachable, open and welcoming are traits senior Jackie Stachowiak is looking for in an athletics director.

Someone who places a strong emphasis on IU and its ethics and not just the wins and losses, are what senior Greg Jansen looks for in an athletics director.

The IU Student Association hosted a student forum Tuesday night in the Indiana Memorial Union Frangipani Room featuring IU Athletics Director Search Committee Student Representative Drew Allenspach. He is also captain of the IU men’s golf team.

“We want to take student input to find the best athletics director we can,” Allenspach said.

Current IU Director of Athletics Rick Greenspan announced he would leave his post effective at the end of the calender year, triggering the formation of the search committee of which Allenspach is the only student member.

Greenspan’s resignation came the same day the NCAA levied an allegation that the University “failed to monitor” the men’s basketball program’s compliance to NCAA rules. This was the final of six allegations against IU regarding the recruitment for the men’s basketball team last year.

The controversy led to IU coach Kelvin Sampson’s resignation in February. Former Marquette coach Tom Crean now leads the team.

Students attending the discussion Tuesday night offered questions and opinions on what they felt a good director possessed as well as what needed to be improved. IUSA President Luke Fields said he thinks the AD chosen should be committed to being open and willing to talk to students.

Talk of developing attendance rates at non-revenue generating sports and other programs came into question throughout the night. Allenspach described the creation of “Redline,” a competition between student groups designed to boost attendance at various sporting events.

“The Student-Athlete Advisory Committee’s and the Student Athletic Board’s goal through Redline is for every athletic program to have at least one game where there is a full house,” Allenspach said. “We have picked games from each sport that have significance; this is so students can branch out to other events.”

The discussion continued with what type of administrator students wanted to see.

“I think that it is important to have somebody that will be behind his coaches,” said sophomore Peter Servaas.

Allenspach added that with a new football coach, new basketball coach and now a new athletic director, it is a good time for students to put the past behind them, and this is an opportunity to start with a clean slate.

“IU is known for its good reputation and good sportsmanship,” Stachowiak said. “It is important to find someone who believes in these as well.”

After hearing all of the student opinions, Allenspach feels he has a better idea of the interests and concerns of students in regards to the athletics department.

There will be another student forum held from 7 to 8 p.m. Sept. 24 in the Frangipani Room for any students willing and open to lend their voice in the search for a new athletics director.

“This new athletics director can really have a big impact and will hopefully be seen long after we graduate,” Allenspach said. “This is the beginning of a new era.”