New Univ. of Minnesota President Joan Gabel "understands that college athletics are an expensive and highly visible industry," and as she begins her new role, she knows that her "legacy will be defined in some measure by what happens on the athletic side," according to Chip Scoggins of the Minneapolis STAR TRIBUNE. Gabel "wasn't dumbstruck" when AD Mark Coyle outlined a $123M athletics budget last week. She said, "Their success, in every way that we would measure success -- wins and beyond -- is a proxy in many ways for the overall success of the institution." Scoggins wrote academics "will and always should be Gabel's front-burner mission, but based on history, some of her most high-profile moments will involve athletics." Scoggins: "In good times and bad. That's just reality." Gabel and Coyle have "met several times already, both in group settings and one on one." Coyle said of Gabel, "She's been around very big programs, very successful programs. Hopefully she likes what she sees here and what we've done here." Gabel is arriving at an "interesting time" for Minnesota, as "sagging attendance remains a national concern for all sports." The school has been "implementing new ideas aimed at enticing fans to return, especially in the three revenue-generating sports" (Minneapolis STAR TRIBUNE, 7/14).
