College athletics often put the spotlight on the players student-athletes and coaching staff. They are the ones who provide the entertainment, atmosphere, and content for spirited Friday night debates at your local watering hole. Fans feel as though they have a connection with the events that take place within the confines of the various playing surfaces.
This attention and focus is well warranted. However it usually means that those who are responsible for the athletic department as a whole, are overlooked. Being an athletic director isn’t sexy. The rewards of a job well done can take years to come to fruition.