A review of leadership and culture within the Univ. of Nebraska came back "generally positive," although Omaha-based consulting firm SilverStone Group said that AD Shawn Eichorst "should be more visible and communicate better," according to a front-page piece by Chris Dunker of the Lincoln JOURNAL STAR. The review "analyzed survey responses from more than 200 people and telephone and in-person interviews" with NU-Lincoln academic and athletic staff, coaches, the NU Board of Regents and a sampling of student-athletes. NU yesterday released a 21-page summary of SilverStone’s review, which said Eichorst "is valued and respected by most of the participants in the review process." These include "making top leadership more visible to the public and improving communication inside and outside North Stadium." Eichorst has "drawn some criticism because of a reluctance -- perceived or otherwise -- to speak with the media, although the report notes he has appeared publicly 526 times in three years, with two-thirds of those appearances taking place in Nebraska" (Lincoln JOURNAL STAR, 6/15). The AP's Eric Olson noted electronic surveys "were sent to 327 people, most of them" athletic department employees, and 237 responded. The report said that Eichorst is viewed as having a "'favorable' leadership style by most of his constituents and the perception of the senior leadership team is 'very positive.'" But the report also said that there is a "general view that financial compensation is 'relatively low compared to the amount of work that is required -- especially in the lower staff levels of the organization'" (AP, 6/14).
GOING STREAKING? In Lincoln, Steven Sipple notes Eichorst "expresses confidence in the continuation of Nebraska's historic sellout streak at Memorial Stadium." Eichorst yesterday said that school officials "haven't held any formal discussions about possibly reducing or waiving donations tied to season tickets for home football games." But Eichorst "didn't rule out reducing those donations in the future." Late last week, a total of about 1,150 season tickets remained for sale out of the 2,000 that NU "made available to the public June 1." A mandatory donation -- ranging from $2,500 to $150, depending on seat location -- is "in most cases tied to available season tickets" (Lincoln JOURNAL STAR, 6/15).
