Greenspan rewarded with more work to do

The IU Athletics Department comes under fire from sports fans, alumni and students almost as frequently as the academic departments of the University. \nOn March 13, the man charged with handling the closely watched department, Athletics Director Rick Greenspan, was granted a contract extension through 2013. Rewarding his bringing of “stability and major improvements” to IU’s sports programs, IU President Adam Herbert announced the contract will pay the athletics director $300,000 per year. \nWhatever is thought of Greenspan’s choices during the past few years (or the hefty price tag accompanying the extension), it would be difficult to argue that in the world of administrative politics he isn’t one of the best bureaucratic infighters the University is likely to see in the position. \nAdvocating for the athletics department and its continued prestige, Greenspan has hired three formerly successful coaches in Kelvin Sampson, Terry Hoeppner and Felisha Legette-Jack. He has also taken steps to pull the department out of debt and worked with students on his way through the debates and to eventual removal of the student athletic fee (though IUSA President Betsy Henke says that this is one of the causes of the current student section conundrum at IU home basketball games).\nBut the most astonishing achievement Greenspan has managed, along with the assistance of his newly hired coaches came when the board of trustees unanimously approved a $55 million athletics facilities upgrade. \nNow, such an endeavor, in my opinion, it is an incorrect undertaking regarding the needs of IU as a whole and takes concentration away from academics, which should be a higher priority than extracurricular activities. That being said, the restructuring of IU athletics facilities will no doubt assist in recruiting and retaining student athletes who will carry on IU’s time-honored history of success.\nThis extension of Greenspan’s contract is necessary not because of his past achievements and successes, but because there remains a great deal of work to be done. \nWith recent controversy concentrated on the loss of courtside seats for students at IU’s home men’s basketball games, Greenspan will be required to work with Coach Sampson regarding his inquiries, whatever they may be, into the issue and come to a balanced solution. \nWith any luck, Greenspan will be able to adequately assist the newly elected IUSA executives in their plans for an attendance and seating reward system for IU sporting events. Because athletics are a great focus of many students at IU, handling the transition between student governments will be an important aspect of the continued working relationship between Greenspan’s department and IUSA. He will also be charged with overseeing the construction of the new athletics facilities.\nWith the contract extension, Greenspan is given the task of continued care of IU’s athletics department worthy of the six-digit salary. Rest assured that he will continue to take charge of sports at IU in a manner that reflects his organization’s interest. Time will tell if his endeavors regarding the problems at hand will be adequate. And if IU athletics start to decline (heaven forbid), we’ll just have to revert back to being proud of the roots of the University: academics.