Duke AD Kevin White, a former track coach, was appointed to the USOC board earlier this year, and he brought a strong perspective on the future of Olympic sports during a panel of ADs at the ’15 IMG Intercollegiate Athletics Forum. “We used to celebrate our Olympic sports,” he said. “Now we tolerate them. If we continue to have Olympic sports downsized or morph into club sports, we’ve lost the battle here.” Arizona State AD Ray Anderson said he is determined to buck the trend of Olympic sports on the endangered list by adding sports. The Sun Devils are adding men’s ice hockey and women’s lacrosse, and will seek funding for more sports. “We’re determined to get financing, and so far we’ve been able to do that,” Anderson said. “We’re the largest institution in the country, but when I sat for the AD interview, we had just 22 varsity sports. We’re doing a disservice to our community and our student body if we’re not providing those scholarship opportunities. We’re going to change the narrative.”
Quick Hits:
* While acknowledging that football and its health-related issues are causing concerns about youth participation, Notre Dame AD Jack Swarbrick said he remains “very bullish on football’s future." Swarbrick: "There’s no correlation to popularity and participation.”
* On concussion and health issues, White said: “A lot of people who are talking are highly unqualified. Most don’t know the difference between concussions and a 2x4. ... If I said that these issues are having no impact on the future of the game, then I’d be Pinnochio-ing everyone in the room.”
* On the voice and influence of the AD in the Pac-12, Anderson said: “There’s no question there’s an evolution going on that’s making it very clear this is a business. It’s very much a business. There’s a little rub we have in the Pac-12 between ADs, presidents and chancellors, and who has the ultimate authority. The authority seems to have shifted upward and we are adjusting.”
