Wadsworth resigns
By KATHLEEN O'BRIEN
News Writer
Michael Wadsworth's five-year reign as athletic director at Notre Dame will soon end, Wadsworth and University president Rev. Edward A. Malloy, C.S.C. announced yesterday.
"We have come through the NCAA matter," Wadsworth said. "We are reaching the end of the current five-year plan in the athletic department, and my personal five-year commitment to the University also is about to end."
Malloy said the University is restructuring the administration of the athletic department in response to the violations found by the NCAA in the Kimberly Dunbar investigation. Notre Dame lost two scholarships and received probation due to the improper gifts given to Irish football players by Dunbar, a former booster, who embezzled more than $1.2 million from her employer.
"Mike Wadsworth and I have reached this agreement based on a number of factors," Malloy said. "I stated in December that the University's response to the recent problems in our football program had included a comprehensive external review of our athletic policies and procedures.
"As a result of that review, I have decided to institute a substantial restructuring of administrative responsibilities in athletics," he continued. "In light of this restructuring, Mike's five-year commitment, and the conclusion of the current five-year plan in athletics, he and I agree that now is the time for a fresh start for us both."
"Reflecting on the timing of all these events with the restructuring that Father Malloy intends to carry out," Wadsworth said, "I believe it's in both the University's and my best interests to end my tenure this year."
Wadsworth met with coaches and staff of the athletic department to announce his resignation Monday. The news was unexpected, according to members of the athletic department.
"I think we're all saddened that we're losing a great boss and a great leader for the department," associate athletic director Melissa Conboy said.
Head track and field coach Joe Piane added his surprise at the announcement of Wadsworth's departure.
"Probably a little bit of surprise," Piane said. "He's done a fine job. Too much has been made of one or two small incidents, but under his five years, the athletic department certainly has flourished. Restructuring is upon us."
Wadsworth's role as athletic director was questioned last year when University officials rejected Wadsworth's endorsement of Utah coach Rick Majerus to replace men's basketball coach John MacLeod.
Some Notre Dame fans also criticized Wadsworth when legendary football coach Lou Holtz resigned in 1996, to be replaced by Bob Davie. Davie has a 21-16 record during his three years at the helm for the Fighting Irish football team.
But perhaps the biggest complaints came when Notre Dame's commitment to ethical standards was questioned. The University received probation from the NCAA for violations in the Dunbar case, and was found guilty of age discrimination in the firing of former assistant football coach Joe Moore.
"There is no denying that problems often lead to accomplishments being overlooked, and that certainly has been true with respect to Mike Wadsworth, whose contributions to Notre Dame have been substantial," Malloy said. "As I said in December, Mike and Father Beauchamp and I all are committed to doing everything we can to uphold Notre Dame's high standards for the conduct of athletics."
Wadsworth, a former Notre Dame football player, laid out a five-year plan for Irish athletics upon taking the position of athletic director.
During Wadsworth's tenure, Notre Dame made its debut in the Big East conference. Notre Dame has won the Big East commissioner's trophy for men's athletics every year since joining the league, as well as the women's trophy each of the past three years.
Wadsworth helped strengthen women's athletics at Notre Dame, adding lacrosse and crew to the list of varsity sports. Since Wadsworth took over at athletic director, the women's soccer and women's basketball teams advanced to the final four, with the soccer team qualifying for the finals twice. The University also increased the number of scholarships for women's sports by 22.
Notre Dame continued its commitment to athletics and academics, with 35 athletes earning Academic All-American status since Wadsworth became athletic director. Notre Dame shared the distinction with Stanford of being the only universities to rank in the top 20 of the U.S. News & World Report survey of educational excellence and average at least a top 20 finish in the Sears Directors' Cup standings for all-sports accomplishments.
No names have been released as possible Wadsworth replacements.
"I will soon appoint and chair a committee to conduct a search for a new athletic director, who will report to me," Malloy said.
All News Stories for Tuesday, February 8, 2000
