Miscellaneous
The next athletic director at the University of Akron is coming off a year where he helped to sell 50,000 tickets to the first game at the University of Minnesota's stadium.
It is this sort of achievement that pushed Tom Wistrcill over the hump for UA President Luis Proenza. The administration is greatly concerned with making InfoCision Stadium a success.
Before his interview with the president, Wistrcill investigated campus. He dropped by a soccer practice, a volleyball practice and the Rec Center. He called former Akron athletic director Mike Thomas to get a feel for the job.
While Proenza thought highly of the runner up Hunter Yurachek, he chose Wistrcill because of his marketing accomplishments and his energy.
You cannot argue with Proenza's choices for athletic director. Several schools coveted Thomas, before he moved on to Cincinnati. Mack Rhoades was a finalist for a few jobs before Houston selected him. Even the interim athletic directors, Yurachek and Mike Waddell, are future Division I athletic directors.
Zips fans should be very excited that Wistrcill brings a wealth of experience in marketing a similar — albeit larger — football program. He also shares Yurachek's track record of sterling references at all points in his career.
Wistrcill also has experience working for a former MAC athletic director. His boss at Minnesota was Joel Maturi, the former AD at Miami (Ohio).
The PD's Elton Alexander reported that some people within the athletic department are upset about the hiring. Some even believe that my previous report sabotaged Yurachek's chances.
I'm not sure how that's possible. Maybe the administration was leaning toward Yurachek, but I have a hard time believing fans' comments persuaded Proenza to go with Wistrcill. The administration knew that a majority of fans wanted a fresh face weeks ago. It's nothing new.
Click here to read Tom Gaffney's story, which includes quotes from Wistrcill. I plan to speak with Wistrcill in the near future, as well.
Loading ...Football
Akron received its ninth commitment for 2010 on Monday, according to ScoutingOhio.com.
Lawrence Smith, wide receiver/safety, Painesville, Ohio
Offers: Akron and Ohio
Height: 6-foot-0
Weight: 190
Speed: 4.45
Notes: ScoutingOhio.com ranks Smith as the No. 141 prospect in Ohio. Rivals.com calls Smith an impressive athlete. Akron recruited him as a safety, while Ohio put the generalized "athlete" tag on him.
Click here for the cumulative list of offers and commitments.
{ 9 comments… read them below or add one }
Rasor, is it true people in the athletic department think your rumor blew it for Yurachek?
Elton certainly spun it that way.
I heard some people were angry before reading Elton's report. I don't doubt Elton or his source one bit. That's a shame.
Odd that the in-house crowd at Akron feels that the newspaper and Rasor cost Yurachek the job when the Beacon Journal and this blog have done nothing but praise him and pump him up over the past three months. Just read the posts from the last week and from when he was named interim. Even Patrick McNannamon joined the Obama-like crusade to get Hunterswept into the office with no search.
http://www.ohio.com/sports/mcmanamon/48133342.html
Since June nearly every article in the newspaper has had a quote from Yurachek about all the great things going on under his lead. To whine about not getting the job and blaming a blog for that is plain sad.
Well whenever something doesn't go your way you look for the easiest excuse. For those guys (not wanting to face change) blaming Rasor and the blog makes them feel good. I'm sure Yurachek blames no one but himself for missing the opportunity.
The best to both of them (especially Tom because we really need the best from him).
Congrats Tom!
Most of us are fans of the Proenza Plan and all the amazing changes he has brought to the university in his tenure.
Dr. P recruited the best possible player to join the team
time will tell if the new guy is a 2-star, 3-star or 4-star recruit.
so i say to Tom roll up your sleeves and grab a cup of BLUE and GOLD kool aid it's going to be a GREAT YEAR for ZIP ATHLETICS!
Go Zips!
If a blog rumor caused Proenza to hire someone different (out of spite?) than his original choice–if there WAS a different selection–then UA is in far worse hands than we ever imagined.
I'll be curious/anxious to see what this new dude brings to the table, in terms of building a fanbase. Those numbers for the opening of a new stadium in MN are impressive, if he was responsible for it.
Third attempt to post.
Mike had two earlier polls asking Would you be happy if UA hired HY for the AD position. 64-64
The second poll dealt with what quality is most important in next AD. 74% picked Marketing/Ability to build the fanbase.
Wasn't that what he was doing here? This is hardly a ringing endorsement of HY. The assertion that Rasors blog sabotaged HY is sour grapes from the current crew thinking they would rise the two step HY ladder. They can head on out too. If it was a close call, he should make the Kent short list. My best guess is he'll need spf 45.
I think Akron made a great hire for AD and also take Mr. Hunter Yurachek at his word that he loves Akron and really wants to live here. I expect that he will stay at Akron and keep doing the great job that he has been doing for the past three years. If he keeps up the great work, then the next time there is an opening for AD at Akron he will be the logical choice. I would have loved to have seen him get the job this time but great days are ahead for Zips fans with a fantastic football and basketball season ahead.
Alexander is a stone cold douche, always was. Nothing new. Keep up the good work, looking forward to your interview with the new AD. Any chance you can do it video-style?