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SPORTS
WWW.KANSAN.COM/SPORTS
16A
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
THURSDAY, APRIL 10, 2003
SPORTS COMMENTARY
Ryan Malashock
rmalashock@kansan.com
Chancellor Robert Hemenway announces former athletics director Al Bohl's termination as A. Drue Jennings, Kansas' interim athletics director, looks on. Chancellor Hemenway fired Bohl yesterday.
Chancellor silent about reasons for Bohl firing
The University of Kansas just traded one controversy for another. Chancellor Robert Hemenway announced the firing of Kansas athletics director Al Bohl at an afternoon press conference yesterday. That ended controversy No. 1 — whether Bohl would get the ax.
For the last few months, a dark cloud of speculation has been cast over Bohl's head. Complaints from anonymous "Athletic Department sources" ran rampant. Radio talk show personalities and newspaper columnists lit into Bohl's personality.
sounny.
Fan reaction more fitted for Quin Snyder greeted Bohl around Lawrence. He was booed in New Orleans at an alumni-filled pep rally. He was chastised by the Kansas students as he walked through the The Louisiana Superdome.
But, through it all, there were no allegations of wrongdoing. No pinpoint examples of poor professional work. Just an overwhelming sense of discomfort.
Why was Bohl fired? What did he do wrong?
And yesterday, Hemenway acted Enter controversy No.2.
It's a simple question that in most cases is simply answered, especially in this case when the University will have to buy out at least some portion of the three years remaining on Bohl's contract.
But Hemenway was tight-lipped when asked for reasoning, presenting minimal information. He refused to discuss the particulars for Bolel's firing. If anything, Hemenway fueled circulating rumors.
The main conception, that an ongoing feud between Kansas basketball coach Roy Williams and Bohl would end Bohl's career, may or may not be true, but yesterday's events did little to settle any queries. Hemenway spoke first.
"This decision is not a Roy verses Al decision." Hemenway said. "Roy Williams has never once said to me, that Al Bohl should be fired. He's never once said to me 'If Al Bohl doesn't go, I will go.' He's never uttered those words to me or in any way tried to indicate to me that that should be what guides my decision-making."
It's not fair, or ethical, to make the general public side with one man or the other without complete knowledge of the situation. This is where Hemenway slipped up. He should have discussed exactly why Bohl was fired.
Bohl fired back an hour later at his own press conference.
Bohl believes he brought progress to the Kansas department. He did make strides. He increased Williams Fund participation and funds. He hired four successful coaches. Football attendance jumped.
own press conference. "This is a sad day for collegiate athletics, when a basketball coach has the power to hire and fire a University athletics director." Bohl told reporters. "A source close to the Athletics Department believes that I am one of the misfortunate people in America who personally have endured the results of Roy Williams' hatred and vindictiveness."
So what are we supposed to believe? Here's the school's highest-ranking official, defending Williams, and the man just fired, slamming Williams.
But for all the positives, there were always more negatives. He just rubbed people in the athletics department the wrong way. Alumni and boosters alike saw Bohl's energetic smile as a fake
When asked, Hemenway said he did not want to "get into a character assassination."
SEE MALASHOCK ON PAGE 12A
By Doyle Murphy
dmurphy@kansan.com
Kansan senior sportswriter
Williams
The question has changed.
permission to speak to Williams about the coaching vacancy in its men's basketball program. Matt Doherty, formerly Williams' assistant coach at Kansas, resigned from the position under pressure at the end of the season.
Kansas fans are no longer wondering whether a rift between Kansas athletics director Al Bohl and Roy Williams will drive Williams to North Carolina — Chancellor Robert Hemenway ended that concern when he canned Bohl yesterday morning. Now the question is: Is getting rid of
Bohl enough to keep Williams from returning to coach at his alma mater?
At the press conference announcing Bohl's termination, Hemenway confirmed that North Carolina's athletics department had
See page 13A for reactions from other Kansas coaches.
"The North Carolina athletic director called at 11:30 this morning."
SEE FANS ON PAGE 12A
Bohl addresses his termination
Ex-athletics director expresses sadness, blames press, Williams
By Joey Berlin
jberlin@kansan.com
Kansan sportswriter
As a herd of reporters and photographers entered her home and surrounded her husband in front of their living room fireplace, Sherry Bohl stood at the back of her living room, away from the chaos. She motioned to a table displaying pictures of her three children and two grandchildren.
Courtney Kuhlen/Kansan
Sherry Bohl listens to her husband respond to questions about the nature of his termination as Kansas athletic director. He answered questions in his living room after the press conference held on his front lawn yesterday.
"They're the light of our lives, and it has really, really hurt his sons," Sherry Bohl said yesterday after her husband, Al Bohl, was fired as Kansas athletics director.
"I have loved Al Bohl for 39 years. I have known him since second grade," she said. "We've been married for 34 years. He has the highest integrity."
Al Bohl was not allowed to attend the
University of Kansas press conference to announce his firing, Chancellor Robert Hemenway said it was not University policy to let former employees speak at
press conferences.
So, Bohl brought the media to his BOHL ON PAGE 12A
SEE BOHL ON PAGE 12A
Heard on the Hill
Compiled by Henry C. Jackson
How do you think Al Bohl's firing will affect Roy Williams' decision to stay at Kansas?
"I think it can be nothing but a positive effect on Roy's decision."
Andrew Wymore,
Leawood senior
"Obviously their relationship wasn't good.I think anything that
will help Roy out is good for the school and he'll want to stay."
Bryan Young,
Huston sophomore
"I don't think it will affect his decision at all." Danny Mason, Omaha, Neb., junior
"It will make him happy, a little more comfortable and maybe
we'll win next year." Nicole Williams. Leawood sophomore
"I think he has such strong ties to Lawrence and a lot of loyalty
that his decision will be made on his own." Lauren Salvini. Lawrence sophomore
"Hopefully in the positive."
Mike Valk,
lecturer of English