Former Univ. Of Miami AD Sam Jankovich Passes Away At 85

Former Univ. of Miami AD SAM JANKOVICH, who oversaw the "rise of both the school's football team and athletics fundraising efforts," died yesterday morning at the age of 85, according to McPherson & Miller Degnan of the MIAMI HERALD. Jankovich took over UM's athletic program in '83 in the "midst of what ultimately became a dominant decade." Jankovich hired JIMMY JOHNSON in '84 to "lead the football program" once HOWARD SCHNELLENBERGER left the school. Jankovich left UM in December '90 to become the Patriots' CEO, a role he held for two years. Jankovich's impact on UM's athletic program "extended beyond the results on the field." He was "pivotal in spearheading the program's fundraising efforts." Before coming to UM, Jankovich was the AD at Washington State (MIAMI HERALD, 10/31). In Spokane, John Blanchette writes under the header, "'Positive Stubbornness' Allowed Sam Jankovich To Reshape Washington State Athletics." Jankovich was the "right man at the right time" for WSU (Spokane SPOKESMAN-REVIEW, 10/31).