4/12/03- Athletic Director Bill Martin Must Resign

In a shocking turn of events, Athletic Director Bill Martin has changed his mind about whether or not he's interested in becoming President of United State Olympic Committee (USOC).  After months of denial yesterday he announced that he had changed his mind after getting 'beat up' by other members of the committee who had urged him to accept the position.

The Act Has Gotten Old

Of course, Wolverine sports fans have seen this act play out before.  Martin played the same game when he was 'drafted' into becoming the full time Athletic Director at Michigan.

Q: How do you when Bill Martin is lying?
A: Whenever he denies being interested in a job.

For those who haven't been following the USOC situation over the last several months Martin has led a group of insiders who have orchestrated a takeover of the scandal ridden organization.  Bill was 'surprised' to discover that after a careful reading of USOC by-laws he was named acting president of the organization.  If you believe that he was unaware of this fact for one second please contact me- I have some swampland in Florida to sell you. 

Michigan Deserves a Full-Time Athletic Director

What is now clear is that if Bill Martin does become President of USOC he needs to resign his position of Athletic Director at Michigan.  The problems that Michigan currently faces need to have the  full attention of someone with no other demands on their time.  You have to wonder how in touch Martin has been over the last several months while the USOC fiasco has been going on.  Did his inattention contribute to him being unaware of the apparent mutiny occurring in the Women's Basketball program under now former Coach Sue Guervera?  How could he could come and give her his full endorsement just few weeks before 'accepting her resignation'?   If he continues to fill two positions every decision will be suspect at both organizations.

A Job Left Undone

One one hand the USOC is in remarkably similar situation that Martin inherited from outgoing Athletic Director Tom Goss at Michigan-  questionable decisions, looming budget shortfalls, inadequate facilities.  One the other hand, Martin is yet to solve those problems here at Michigan.  While the Athletic Department budget has been stabilized by raising of football ticket prices the more difficult and far more serious problems remain to be tackled.  Michigan facilities still lag behind other national powers.  There is still is no long term plan for creating additional funds to pay for new facilities and fund non-revenue sports.   

Conclusion

If Bill Martin can't dedicate his full attention to the problems here at Michigan then he needs to resign.  Hopefully he'll realize this and turn down the USOC Presidency.  He's made progress here at Michigan but there's still work left to do...

Go Blue!

Phil Callihan
UMGoBlue.COM, Editor-in-Chief
phil@umgoblue.com
 

Phil Callihan is the Editor-in- Chief of UMGoBlue.COM.  Phil graduated from the University of Michigan in 1993 and has been a football season ticket holder since 1994.

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