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Iowa AD supports new president hire, likes Harreld’s vision
Sep. 3, 2015 8:08 pm
IOWA CITY - Iowa Athletics Director Gary Barta said he received a good vibe from meeting new UI President Bruce Harreld through the interview process. What does that mean immediately for athletics? A new direction within Harreld's bold vision.
'Higher education across the nation, not just at Iowa, is changing and we want to make sure Iowa is a great place,” Barta said. 'We want to make sure five years from now, 10 years from now, 20 years from now, it's still a great place. The only way we can do that is if we keep getting better. (Harreld) clearly has articulated that's what he wants to help us do.”
Barta conceded to the faculty-based Presidential Committee on Athletics on Thursday that Harreld's hiring was 'controversial.” But Barta added 'I hope everybody across campus gives him a chance.”
During his introductory news conference, Harreld offered his support for athletics and called football 'the glue that binds in many ways.”
'It's part of who we are, and I'll do all I can to support it,” Harreld said. 'I've got to tell you, they don't need me on the sidelines coaching, though. Part of my thing is making sure we continue to get the right people over there.
'I know there's some frustration with last season. I think there's a lot of enthusiasm for this year. We've got a junior quarterback with C.J. (Beathard). I think he's going to bring some great things to the team. But I think I'm a cheerleader here. If Gary and the coach and what have you bring various issues forward to me, I'll listen and try to figure out how I can support them.”
Along with University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa athletics provide the most high-profile entry point to campus life. The athletics department boasts a fiscal year 2016 budget of $93.5 million. More than $33.5 million in revenue is generated through Big Ten Conference coffers. Harreld's predecessor, Sally Mason, was chairwoman of the Big Ten's Council of Presidents and Chancellors for the last three years.
Harreld plans to meet with the football program on Friday, something that was in the works for the new president before interviews took place. He also will be introduced to the Kinnick Stadium crowd Saturday at the football team's home opener.
Barta said he would have supported any of the candidates, but he like Harreld's non-traditional approach.
'(Harreld) has expertise in leading people in a new direction,” Barta said. 'One of the things, a sports adage, you either get better or you get worse. You never stay the same. There's truth to that. I'm excited. I talked to our staff, we talked about this being a new era.”
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