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New hire seems OK; what about Yurachek?
By Patrick McManamon
Beacon Journal sports columnist
POSTED: 09:06 p.m. EDT, Aug 25, 2009
The University of Akron introduced its new director of athletics today, and excitement was the order of the day.
As it should have been.
Tom Wistrcill seems like a good man, and he brings solid credentials in replacing Mack Rhoades.
That being said, there are some things about this decision as related to Akron's in-house candidate that seem a bit — quirky.
Stating these things is touchy, because they do not relate at all to Wistrcill.
He deserves a chance, deserves respect, and he deserves credit for being hired. He seems like he could be an excellent director of athletics.
But for the past three years, Hunter Yurachek has been UA's senior associate athletic director (the same title Wistrcill had at Minnesota).
Yurachek is respected by the coaches at UA, liked by his peers and employees, and known in the community.
He knows Akron, knows the market, knows the details of the stadium that is being opened and likes and wants to live in this community.
His duties have included marketing, promotions, media relations and development.
He has previously worked at Virginia, Western Carolina and Vanderbilt.
He, like Wistrcill, is 39, and he, like Wistrcill, has 17 years' experience in intercollegiate athletics.
The reaction in the department to Wistrcill's hiring was not negative.
Folks have no reason not to believe in him.
But the reaction to Yurachek not being hired was strong. Folks were disappointed and dismayed — because they didn't understand.
They did not understand why a man with the same title, same level of experience and similar resume was not promoted from within.
The message is confusing. Yurachek has done an excellent job at this institution, but did not advance.
Wouldn't it make sense that the university would want to promote its own, especially one who wants to put down roots in the area?
Consider this
It's especially confusing when this fact is considered.
In May 2006, Yurachek was one of those considered for the job as senior associate director of athletics at the University of Minnesota.
He withdrew from consideration, and soon after decided UA was a better fit for him and his family.
The job went to Wistrcill.
Now Wistrcill is hired for the job Yurachek could not attain.
The point, again, isn't to be negative to Wistrcill. He deserves his chance, and he deserves respect.
But when a loyal employee like Yurachek can't use his body of work to advance at the school where he works, it's eyebrow raising.
UA President Luis Proenza cited several factors in hiring Wistrcill.
''The range of Tom's experience,'' Proenza said. ''The breadth as we say.''
Which includes being commissioner of two Division II conferences and working in sales and marketing at two Big Ten schools and for an online business.
The bonus, Proenza said, was Wistrcill's work in the new stadium Minnesota will open this year and which is sold out for the entire season.
Proenza grew very emotional when talking about Yurachek.
''It was the most difficult decision I've ever had to make,'' Proenza said.
These hires have become complex.
Universities now use executive search firms (as opposed to mundane search firms) when they hire ADs (as well as presidents, vice presidents and coaches).
Intriguing searches
Two search firms rule the NCAA marketplace, and they do it in — intriguing fashion.
Former UA AD Mike Thomas used a search firm to hire football coach J.D. Brookhart. The same search firm ''found'' Thomas when it was involved in the hiring of an athletics director at the University of Cincinnati.
Search firms have an understanding of the market, yes, but they are not immersed in the local market the way a university's own employees are.
Had Akron used a search firm when it last hired a basketball coach, it's doubtful it would have found a high school coach from the city.
Keith Dambrot has worked out pretty well for the Zips, though.
The firm used in this hire — Eastman & Beaudine Inc. — is based in Dallas and boasts on its Web site that it has placed ''33 Athletic Directors at major universities across the country as well as 25 head coaches in football and basketball.''
No doubt Eastman & Beaudine and the other major search firm — Parker Executive Search — do much good work.
But both are clearly connected in the tangled web of big-school intercollegiate athletics.
It's also interesting that schools spend lots of money to hire qualified people to run the schools, then they hire search firms for a hire. At considerable expense, in tough economic times.
Proenza and UA search committee chair Candace Campbell Jackson both said the search firm was a resource for names and information, and the decision was Proenza's with advice from the committee.
Strong interview
It should be stated that Yurachek interviewed for the position. He was told his interview was better than strong.
The university had an 18-member search committee.
The process was involved and took hard work.
Proenza has done a wonderful job at UA. And a few years ago, he and the search firm he hired found Rhoades, which worked out very well.
This search could have every bit the positive result.
It just seems like this search could have stayed closer to home.
Patrick McManamon can be reached at pmcmanamon@thebeaconjournal.com. Read his blog at http://www.ohio.com/mcmanamon/. Follow Pat on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/patmcmanamon.
The University of Akron introduced its new director of athletics today, and excitement was the order of the day.
As it should have been.
Tom Wistrcill seems like a good man, and he brings solid credentials in replacing Mack Rhoades.
That being said, there are some things about this decision as related to Akron's in-house candidate that seem a bit — quirky.
Stating these things is touchy, because they do not relate at all to Wistrcill.
He deserves a chance, deserves respect, and he deserves credit for being hired. He seems like he could be an excellent director of athletics.
But for the past three years, Hunter Yurachek has been UA's senior associate athletic director (the same title Wistrcill had at Minnesota).
Yurachek is respected by the coaches at UA, liked by his peers and employees, and known in the community.
He knows Akron, knows the market, knows the details of the stadium that is being opened and likes and wants to live in this community.
His duties have included marketing, promotions, media relations and development.
He has previously worked at Virginia, Western Carolina and Vanderbilt.
He, like Wistrcill, is 39, and he, like Wistrcill, has 17 years' experience in intercollegiate athletics.
The reaction in the department to Wistrcill's hiring was not negative.
Folks have no reason not to believe in him.
But the reaction to Yurachek not being hired was strong. Folks were disappointed and dismayed — because they didn't understand.
They did not understand why a man with the same title, same level of experience and similar resume was not promoted from within.
The message is confusing. Yurachek has done an excellent job at this institution, but did not advance.
Wouldn't it make sense that the university would want to promote its own, especially one who wants to put down roots in the area?
Consider this
It's especially confusing when this fact is considered.
In May 2006, Yurachek was one of those considered for the job as senior associate director of athletics at the University of Minnesota.
He withdrew from consideration, and soon after decided UA was a better fit for him and his family.
The job went to Wistrcill.
Now Wistrcill is hired for the job Yurachek could not attain.
The point, again, isn't to be negative to Wistrcill. He deserves his chance, and he deserves respect.
But when a loyal employee like Yurachek can't use his body of work to advance at the school where he works, it's eyebrow raising.
UA President Luis Proenza cited several factors in hiring Wistrcill.
''The range of Tom's experience,'' Proenza said. ''The breadth as we say.''
Which includes being commissioner of two Division II conferences and working in sales and marketing at two Big Ten schools and for an online business.
The bonus, Proenza said, was Wistrcill's work in the new stadium Minnesota will open this year and which is sold out for the entire season.
Proenza grew very emotional when talking about Yurachek.
''It was the most difficult decision I've ever had to make,'' Proenza said.
These hires have become complex.
Universities now use executive search firms (as opposed to mundane search firms) when they hire ADs (as well as presidents, vice presidents and coaches).
Intriguing searches
Two search firms rule the NCAA marketplace, and they do it in — intriguing fashion.
Former UA AD Mike Thomas used a search firm to hire football coach J.D. Brookhart. The same search firm ''found'' Thomas when it was involved in the hiring of an athletics director at the University of Cincinnati.
Search firms have an understanding of the market, yes, but they are not immersed in the local market the way a university's own employees are.
Had Akron used a search firm when it last hired a basketball coach, it's doubtful it would have found a high school coach from the city.
Keith Dambrot has worked out pretty well for the Zips, though.
The firm used in this hire — Eastman & Beaudine Inc. — is based in Dallas and boasts on its Web site that it has placed ''33 Athletic Directors at major universities across the country as well as 25 head coaches in football and basketball.''
No doubt Eastman & Beaudine and the other major search firm — Parker Executive Search — do much good work.
But both are clearly connected in the tangled web of big-school intercollegiate athletics.
It's also interesting that schools spend lots of money to hire qualified people to run the schools, then they hire search firms for a hire. At considerable expense, in tough economic times.
Proenza and UA search committee chair Candace Campbell Jackson both said the search firm was a resource for names and information, and the decision was Proenza's with advice from the committee.
Strong interview
It should be stated that Yurachek interviewed for the position. He was told his interview was better than strong.
The university had an 18-member search committee.
The process was involved and took hard work.
Proenza has done a wonderful job at UA. And a few years ago, he and the search firm he hired found Rhoades, which worked out very well.
This search could have every bit the positive result.
It just seems like this search could have stayed closer to home.
Patrick McManamon can be reached at pmcmanamon@thebeaconjournal.com. Read his blog at http://www.ohio.com/mcmanamon/. Follow Pat on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/patmcmanamon.
Comments
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Posted 10:01 PM, 08/25/2009
The Beacon has been slobbering over Yurachek for weeks now. We get it, he was your guy. All the better that he didn't get the job, then.
Being an "Akron guy" is the last thing the athletics department needed. What they needed was a person who is able to get people to come to games. That's the top priority. Attendance fell sharply while Hunter was here, despite the basketball team winning more than ever (even more than when Bob Huggins coached here) and football had a historic season being the last year in the Rubber Bowl.
Maybe you can continue to slobber over Hunter and push for him to get the job at Kent State. It's not like he could hurt their football attendance any more than it is.
Akron, OH
Posted 11:20 PM, 08/25/2009
Proenza looks into his crystal ball, and who does he see? Tom Wistrcill. Unwittingly, he attaches more importance to the athletic program at Minnesota than to the program at Akron U. Why did Proenza let Rhoades get away? Why did Dolan let Sabathia and Lee get away? Why should McManamon and I or anybody else get all shook up about an appointment at Akron U when Proenza himself
thinks experience at Minnesota is more important than experience at Akron U.
rmk, akron
Posted 06:34 AM, 08/26/2009
Let's not get too carried away. First, it still is Akron, a MAC school with not much to show in football, the big sport. Second, I know a few area leaders who took a tour with Yuarchek at the school and were very put off by him. Could have just been a bad day but it may also have been indicative of the difference in choice.
Of course, no one is perfect. And let's not assume Mack Rhodes was so great. We need to first see if this school can carry that new stadium he supposedly was the driving force behind.
Akron, Oh
Posted 06:47 AM, 08/26/2009
Last night my dog got hit by a car and it was a rough time getting to sleep as I was pretty down. Thanks for the comedy piece as it really turned my otherwise downer of a day back into a real pick me up. True comedy on the sports page.
Akron, Oh
Posted 07:50 AM, 08/26/2009
Doesn't matter he already has 1 foot out the door and is currently searching the classifieds from the cozy confines of the JAR.
Akron, OH
Posted 08:10 AM, 08/26/2009
I couldn't agree more with Patrick's article. Hunter is a good family man, a man of integrity, a man who cares about the student athletes. Being a Corporate sponsor, I had many interactions with Hunter, to include a couple of tours of the stadium. Having the same background as Mr. Wistrcill, he deserved a chance to help finish what has been built. The University has improved in every sport over the last several years and has a lot of momentum. Hunter deserved better!
Akron, OH
Posted 08:19 AM, 08/26/2009
I don't believe for one minute that Yurachek withdrew from the Minnesota search, a Big 10 position, for the same job at the University of Akron.
Two thoughts: 1) Marketing at Akron took a dive since HY got here. 2) You think search firms work any different in the corporate world? My former boss used a firm to hire our VP. Six months later the same firm contacted him about another position, and he ultimately left for that job. Search firms specialize in specific industries so they become experts at identifying who's good out there. "Intriguing fashion?" A "tangled web?" Please. There's nothing intriguing about business as usual. And that "web" is called connections. We all have them and we all use them.
And unless you or I sat in the interviews, we can't judge who was the better candidate. I watched the press conference yesterday and I was pretty impressed with this hire. Apparently the guy just sold out Minnesota's new stadium. I doubt Hunter has that kind of capital on his resume. If his "body of work" at Akron was as impressive, or more, he would have gotten the job.
Posted 08:37 AM, 08/26/2009
Maybe the president wanted to bring in a guy without ties,so he could take a clear look at the programs. Akron U. has sunk a lot of money into the football program with an indoor practice facility a couple of years ago and now the stadium on campus . If I were Brookhart,I wouldn't throw a party over this hire.
Akron, Oh
Posted 09:10 AM, 08/26/2009
TJM, what company do you work for that is a corporate sponsor? Tell us some of the stories about how Yurachek negotiated deals that were win-win situations for Akron and your company. I am sure the rest of us would love to hear these tales if they are indeed true.
Posted 09:21 AM, 08/26/2009
It's clear from looking at Wistrcill's background that he has much, much more experience in sales and marketing than does Yurachek. That appears to be what Proenza thinks is most important at this point in time rather than someone with a strong background in athletic administration or in academics. His job will be to fill the stadium, including all the loges, and perhaps begin the process of getting a decent basketball arena. One thing is sure, if Brookhart's football team doesn't win this year, he's gone. It's hard to sell seats to a losing team.
Akron, oh
Posted 10:15 AM, 08/26/2009
What a strange article to write. That's a lot of space to say "I like this guy, I don't really know if he is any better than the new guy, but I like him"
Akron, OH
Posted 10:21 AM, 08/26/2009
I wholeheartedly agree with Mr. MacManamon's article except in the respect that Mr. Yurachek and Mr. Wistrcill have equal experience. Yurachek's resume demonstrates 17 years of experience within athletic departments at some of the country's most presitigious and academically selective universities (University of Virginia, Wake Forest, Vanderbilt)and in undoubtedly the most premiere conferences (ACC - Basketball and SEC - Football). On the other hand, Wistrcill's resume demonstrates shockingly little experience in an actual athletic department anywhere and a hodge-podge of short term stints in various jobs only loosely related to true D-I college sports administration. It is disappointing to see the President of the University apparently kowtow to the uniformed opinions of a third tier law student blogger and his croonies. Alas, Akron's loss will undoutedly be another University's gain.
Akron, OH
Posted 11:00 AM, 08/26/2009
@JSmitty says "Marketing at Akron took a dive since HY got here."
Can you go into more details? I personally see more advertising for UA and UA sports over the last few years than I have ever seen before - TV, billboards, Fear the Roo, etc.
Akron, OH
Posted 01:44 PM, 08/26/2009
Just a different perception maybe, but I'm obviously not the only one:
http://www.ohiomm.com/blogs/zips/2009/08/what-you-can-expect-on-gameday/#comments
Akron, oh
Posted 03:34 PM, 08/26/2009
Good hire-- you need someone to sell seats. What is puzzling to Mcmanamon?...a brand new football stadium with less than 10,000 seats sold (that is the target anyway), or the fact that the guy who didnt get the job couldnt seperate more people from their money in these tough economic times and the guy who did get the job could (in Minnesota). ...or maybe its that the guy who didnt get the job has watched a very good basketball team play to crowds of 2,500 a game for the last 2 years?
People in the seats is what drives an athletic department in division 1...it makes everything possible.
Akron, OH
Posted 03:34 PM, 08/26/2009
Apparently, when it comes to state universities spending money, more is better (search firm, relocation). Proenza, of course, will receive consideration from search firm when he or friend or family member is looking.
Posted 04:36 PM, 08/26/2009
I don't know either of these gentlemen but I would hazard a guess that it was a very common function of human nature that occurs in these hiring situations. Yurachek had been around for awhile. Making judgments and decisions. When you do a job at a University for a while, even doing it well, you're going to create a number of people who didn't like a decision or questioned your judgement. So when, Yrachek was being discussed, the committee and perhaps the president thought they knew something about the guy. With Wistrcill, on the other hand, all they really knew was what the candidate wanted them to know. So the outside guy always gets the benefit of the doubt. Besides, in a University, people from at least 100 miles away are always smarter.
Akron, OH
Posted 08:11 PM, 08/26/2009
@JSmitty, thanks for the links. But even the first post in that other discussion does not make sense. They claim "fear the roo" logo was remade. It was not. I also do not think it had the wide reaching Ohio effect the person thought.
To say the stadium was not marketed 24x7 the person must be blind and deaf. There are bulletin boards all over the place. Articles constantly in the ABJ and PD. I have received constant mailer. There have been several websites. I have even seen and/or heard it mention in several Ohio and even national sports shows.
Akron, OH
Posted 03:29 AM, 08/27/2009
HY was not the man for this job...it was over his head. AU has plans to grow, and Hunter and his ties and roots and all the other BS would have hindered him in making the hard decisions that UA will be faced with in the upcoming months. Good hire AU, and as normal, wasted space article for the ABJ. So much to report on and we get this article ? Go report on some high school sports patrick and that may sell some papers !
Kandi, SL
Posted 03:29 AM, 08/28/2009
I thought Mcmanamon was the Brown correspondent. What's he trying to be the new Pluto?
Highland Square, OH
Posted 05:36 PM, 08/28/2009
I'll stick with Gaffney, thanks.
Just kidding. It's good to see the ABJ has taken notice to the division one school DOWN THE STREET.
Posted 08:11 AM, 08/29/2009
they also went way outside when they hired for the marketing dept now they are all afraid of some midget who aspires to make changes(fire folks) then move on to bigger jobs !!! Such is life in the big city..its not who you know its who you b!!!
Akron, Oh
Posted 08:22 AM, 08/29/2009
The comedy here is astounding.
