THURSDAY,APRIL10,2003
SPORTS
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN = 13A
Athletics director makes statement
The following is Al Bohl's entire statement, released shortly after being fired as Kansas athletics director.
This is a sad day for collegiate athletics, when a basketball coach has the power to hire and fire a University Athletics Director!
A source close to the Athletic Department believes that I am one of the misfortunate people in America who personally have endured the results of Roy Williams' hatred and vindictiveness.
My family and I have witnessed malicious, unfounded attacks on my character and on my model of running a business. However, I have always chosen to be positive
and to face the issues instead of self-serving confrontations.
My focus has been working for Kansas.
I take tremendous pride in being a hard worker, honest, having great integrity and honoring the Lord.
I was recruited to strongly enhance the entire Kansas Athletics Department. I lit a fire of expectations under all Athletic programs:
The Williams Fund
All staff members
made significant strides in:
Academics
Every men's and women's athletic team, including men's basketball
Rules compliance
Equity
Diversity
During my two years, we have
Fund raising
Finances
Competitiveness
One of my biggest regrets is the shortchanging of football.I will not be able to finish leading the charge to build an outstanding football program.
Also, I will miss fulfilling the mission of creating even more opportunities for women and minorities.
I strongly believe the mandate for my dismissal reverts the Kansas Athletics Department
back to the pattern of:
Great men's basketball teams with other sports barely surviving.
I understand the realities of the Athletics pyramid of popularity. I believe the Kansas basketball coach had the power to hold his Athletics Director in his hand like a dove: he had the choice to either crush me with his power of influence, or let me fly with my visions for a better total program. He chose to crush me.
I want to thank the multitude of good people throughout Kansas who have expressed their support and concern for my precious family and me, during this very trying chapter in our lives.
KANSAS COACHES REACT
Football coaches express no harsh feelings in firing
There is a difference of opinion regarding the state of the Kansas football program in the aftermath of Al Bohl's dismissal as athletics director.
"One of my biggest regrets is the shortchanging of football," Bohl said outside his home yesterday. "I will not be able to finish leading the charge to build an outstanding football program."
Bohl expressed concern that all sports at Kansas would take a back seat to men's basketball and denied rumors of a strained relationship with football coach Mark Mangino.
"I feel so great about my relationship with Mark Mangino," Bohl said. "I'd like you to go call Mark Mangino and ask him about Al Bohl. We have a great relationship."
Mangino, who has previously described his relationship with Bohl as "cordial,"was not available for interviews but released a statement
through the Athletics Department.
Mangino
"I'm sorry Al will no longer be with our athletic department," Mangino said. "I wish him and his family the very best."
Former Kansas football coach Don Fambrough didn't think the football program would feel adverse effects from Bohl leaving.
The former coach, who attends all the Jayhawks practices, remains close to the program but said he didn't know enough about Bohl to comment on his termination.
"I'mgl he hired Mangino," Fambrough said. "As far as anything else that happened, I don't know."
Shane Mettlen
Washington prepared for new athletics director
When Al Bohl arrived at the University of Kansas, one of his initial goals was to move the athletics director's main focus away from men's basketball, citing that it could stand on its own.
Unfortunately, women's basketball was in need of help and did not receive it.
This was one of the reasons leading to Bohl's departure.
Bohl's relationship with women's basketball coach Marian Washington was never especially a good one.
Washington agreed with men's basketball coach Roy Williams that there was unneeded conflict within the school's athletics department
"I think that we needed to
come together, there's no question about that," Washington said. "We needed to support each other a lot more, and some of that was missing."
Washington
Washington said she would continue to trust in the leadership provided by Chancellor Robert Hemenway, but also knew what she wanted from the school's next athletics director.
"I think that our program just needs someone to believe in it and to really support us," Washington said. "I think we are making some positive steps, and it's going to be important for our next AD to believe in it."
— Ryan Greene
The following is the entire statement from the University of Kansas, released shortly after Al Bohl was fired as athletics director
Hemenway announces Al Bohl's termination
Chancellor Robert Hemenway today announced that Dr. Al Bohl, athletics director at the University of Kansas since Aug.1, 2001, is leaving his position, effective immediately.
A. Drue Jennings, a KU graduate (B.S, 1968; J.D., 1972) and former CEO of Kansas City Power and Light Company, has agreed to serve as interim athletics director pending the outcome of a national search. Plans for that search will be announced at a later time, but Hemenway expects internal candidates to be given strong consideration.
Jennings, 56, of Leawood, played football for four years at KU and is currently a member of the KU Endowment Association Executive Committee and the KU Alumni Association Board. He served on the KU Athletic Corporation Board from 1991 to 1995 Jennings will not be a candidate for the position.
Hemenway discussed the leadership of KU athletics with Bohl during the past six to eight weeks. He also talked with members of the KU Athletic Corporation board, coaches and other athletic department staff, alumni and contributors to KU athletics.
"On the basis of these conversations and my own evaluation of the situation," said Hemenway, "I came to the conclusion a change of leadership was needed at this time."
Hemenway added that he
chose to delay his decision until the close of the basketball season. "While the situation became a distraction
Hemenway
during the NCAA tournament," said Hemenway, "announcing a change while the men's basketball team was still in contention for the title would have been more of a distraction."
Hemenway noted that the appointment of A. Drue Jennings as interim athletics director had been discussed in advance with Head Men's Basketball Coach Roy Williams, who expressed support for Jennings.
Hemenway said his action was consistent with provisions of Bohl's employment agreement, but that the University will not provide details.
"It is important that the entire Department of Intercollegiate Athletics focus its energies, and those of KU's many fans, on those things that matter most," said Hemenway, "the education of our students and the success of all team sports. That will be the highest priority as we begin the search for a new athletics director."
Bohl came to KU from Fresno State University, where he was director of athletics from 1996 to 2001. He was previously director of athletics at the University of Toledo (1987-96) and an assistant director of athletics at Ohio State University, where he received a doctorate in 1978.
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