2008 Woodie Awards
Video related to this article is available below.Issue date: 11/5/07 Section: Sports
What's on the Athletic Director's mind?
Andrew Scurria and Sebastien Angel
DP: In your personal opinion, should the University come clean and say why Dean Stetson resigned?
SB: I can only say this. I don't know all the issues involved with that. I do know that occasionally when we have personnel issues that are done in a way that both parties sign off on a confidentiality agreement, there are times when I would like to say something but I haven't, or I've not been able to, because of that agreement. So I think you've got to respect that.
I understand that there's a desire for the campus community to find out what happened with a high-profile person. But I'm assuming confidentiality agreements were signed, which prohibits both sides to say anything. I've been involved in those myself, so I know you've just got to bite your tongue and move on.
DP: Are you concerned about the viability of the Big 5 in the face of longer conference schedules?
SB: Yes, I'm very concerned, not just with the [Big East] but with the Atlantic 10 as well. We just signed … a three-year agreement, which is standard, that's going to continue the full round robin. And all the ADs and all the coaches are very much supportive of that.
DP: How much sentiment is out there in favor of a postseason basketball tournament?
SB: I think the sentiment exists because so few student-athletes, basketball players, have had a chance to sample postseason. It's one of the most fun moments that you can have as a college experience. Most of the [players] have never had that moment. So to them, they thought that the next best thing would be to have [a] tournament. … But that, to me, is not good thinking. The best thing to do is just build up your program, get better coaches, make a commitment, get better athletes.
I think the Ivy League really has a shot at being pretty good. You can see some of the recruits that have been signed, or committed early on. We're beating out some significant scholarship schools for these kids.
So that's a good trend.
SB: I can only say this. I don't know all the issues involved with that. I do know that occasionally when we have personnel issues that are done in a way that both parties sign off on a confidentiality agreement, there are times when I would like to say something but I haven't, or I've not been able to, because of that agreement. So I think you've got to respect that.
I understand that there's a desire for the campus community to find out what happened with a high-profile person. But I'm assuming confidentiality agreements were signed, which prohibits both sides to say anything. I've been involved in those myself, so I know you've just got to bite your tongue and move on.
DP: Are you concerned about the viability of the Big 5 in the face of longer conference schedules?
SB: Yes, I'm very concerned, not just with the [Big East] but with the Atlantic 10 as well. We just signed … a three-year agreement, which is standard, that's going to continue the full round robin. And all the ADs and all the coaches are very much supportive of that.
DP: How much sentiment is out there in favor of a postseason basketball tournament?
SB: I think the sentiment exists because so few student-athletes, basketball players, have had a chance to sample postseason. It's one of the most fun moments that you can have as a college experience. Most of the [players] have never had that moment. So to them, they thought that the next best thing would be to have [a] tournament. … But that, to me, is not good thinking. The best thing to do is just build up your program, get better coaches, make a commitment, get better athletes.
I think the Ivy League really has a shot at being pretty good. You can see some of the recruits that have been signed, or committed early on. We're beating out some significant scholarship schools for these kids.
So that's a good trend.
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