U-M Student President: 'We Hope To Be On Search Committee For The New AD'
ANN ARBOR (WWJ) -- Now that Dave Brandon has stepped down as Athletic Director at the University of Michigan, Student Body President Bobby Dishell says that students want to be involved in choosing his successor.
"We hope to be on the search committee for the Athletic Director, showing that the students, at large, are really a part of this," Dishell said. "It's a part of the Athletic Director's job to be a part of the Michigan community, not just the athletic community."
Michigan President Mark Schlissel announced that Dave Brandon resigned from his position at a press conference Friday afternoon. After a rocky relationship with Brandon, Dishell talked about the disconnect between the students and the former AD.
"We were definitely shut out for a long time, this year was the first year that we really even had communication with the Athletic Director -- a month ago was the first time that we had a formal meeting set up," Dishell said. "Even when we were working on ticket prices last year, we were definitely shut out for a long time and we can see the effects of that and the toll that it took on our entire community."
The former CEO of Steelcase, Jim Hackett, will step in as interim athletic director, Schlissel said. Hackett, who was a teammate of Brandon's in the 1970s, took the podium and thanked Brandon for all his work on behalf of the university and student athletes.
"We've done some good work in the past month, but unfortunately, it appears as if it was a little late," Dishell said. "But we're looking forward to continuing to bridge that gap with whoever the next Athletic Director is."
Calling it a new chapter, Schlissel said he hopes all the stakeholders will jump in to support Michigan athletics. He added they'll take as long as necessary to find a new permanent athletic director, with no timeframe set. "I have excellence in mind," he said.
Brandon's departure was sudden and to some, shocking, though fans and students have been clamoring for his removal after a disappointing start to the season and a series of gaffes that played out on and off the field.
In September, there was a petition made by students to remove Brandon. Students also marched to Schlissel's home to protest against the performance of Brandon and football coach Brady Hoke.
