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Y! MyWebTHE AUDIBLE | COMMENTARY
Hard to believe Kissell has so many critics
Thursday, August 21, 2008
Maybe it's the fact that the men's basketball team at the University of Dayton doesn't play in the NCAA tournament every year. Or maybe it's that he made season-ticket holders ante up with personal seat licenses (I know, I know, UD wants us to call that the Arena Seating Plan).
But athletic director Ted Kissell has gotten consistently pummeled over the years on message boards and reader comments on our Web site — almost as much as basketball coach Brian Gregory. And while those grumblers are just a vocal minority, I don't quite understand why Kissell generates so much negativity.
About 100 people, mostly staffers, turned out for his retirement announcement, and they gave him a prolonged standing ovation after his farewell speech. At least those who know him best appreciate what he's accomplished.
The Flyers' 17 sports had a combined winning percentage of .629 in 2007-08, an all-time high, while UD athletes excelled in the classroom, producing a school-best cumulative GPA of 3.21. And athletic facilities have gotten a $30-million upgrade on his watch.
Yes, Gregory has produced just two postseason trips in five seasons, but he was left with a major rebuilding job after that first year, and he's led the team to 42 wins the last two seasons.
"Brian has built a really solid foundation. ... I feel we're on a launch pad for men's basketball," Kissell said.
If not, Gregory will continue to take some heat, of course, and Kissell's successor, Tim Wabler, probably will become a popular target, too.
Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2125 or dharris@DaytonDailyNews.com.
