Goss resigns as AD

U-M News and Information Services

Athletic Director Tom Goss '68 resigned from his post Feb. 8, effective March 31.

In announcing his decision at a Feb. 8 news conference, Goss said he had come to the University "to provide leadership to the Athletic Department and to accomplish many things. Every decision that I have made was made from the heart and in the best interest of the University of Michigan and its student-athletes. In the last 29 months, not everything has been accomplished, but a pathway has been charted for the next athletic director."

Accepting Goss's resignation, President Lee Bollinger said that the decision was the result of discussions between the two of them over many months about the future of the Athletic Department. Goss was named to the post in September 1997.

"I want to express my admiration and gratitude for the many qualities that Tom has brought to the position of athletic director," the president said. "He, and we, can take pride in his achievements. Tom has a deep emotional connection with the University, rooted in his days here as a student-athlete. His dedication to the department and the University has been exceptional. He has labored always with the understanding that all his actions must serve the ultimate goal of the education and nurturing of our students."

Bollinger refused to discuss during questioning at the press conference any direct connection between the resignation and recent basketball program problems. He did say, in answer to a related question, "We must be concerned with the image of the program. We would be crazy not to, especially because we are a public institution. Our roots are in a state-created institution with the highest possible aspirations."

Asked whether Goss's departure signals a power struggle, with the central administration attempting to assume greater control, Bollinger said: "First, the Athletic Department is part of the University and it absolutely must serve the interests of the University. A great university cannot survive on any other principle than that."

Intense media scrutiny has been focused on the men's basketball program, beginning early in 1997 with investigations into connections between a person associated with the department and money and gifts received by members of the basketball team, and most recently turning to questions surrounding the NCAA suspension of Jamal Crawford '04. The department also has suffered financial woes, with a $2.8 million deficit recorded for FY 1999.

Before joining U-M, Goss was managing partner of the Goss Group Inc. in California. Previously, he was president and chief operating officer of PIA Merchandising Co. Prior to that job, he was a top executive of a national soft-drinks company.

A search committee has been formed to find Goss's successor, and as we went to press Bill Martin '65 MBA, an Ann Arbor real estate developer was named interim Athletic Director.