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In Thursday’s issue, Seth Poplaski’s column criticized the University of Maine’s decision to offer Athletic Director Blake James a two-year contract extension, which will take effect in May. Mr. Poplaski’s argument that James has underachieved in regards to job performance is unjust, given James’ effective management of the athletic department budget in a difficult financial time, as well as improvements to athletic facilities and recognition of academic achievement.
Since taking over the position in 2006 after the departure of Patrick Nero, James has responsibly utilized athletic department funds and improved the university for athletes and spectators. In his tenure, the overall GPA of UMaine’s sports teams have risen above 3.0, and several athletes have been honored for achievement in the classroom by respective conferences. The athletes should be given all the credit for their grades, but the fact that James holds them accountable for academics as much as athletic performance is a valuable attribute in an AD.
James was forced by the university to reduce athletic department spending last April by $253,000 for the next fiscal year, and did so in part by suspending the women’s volleyball and men’s soccer programs. Sometimes an unpopular decision is needed to reach a positive result.
Poplaski called James “unprofessional” in the way the late-semester announcement was made, but a different method of delivery would not change the fact that the teams were suspended. The fault was in the timing. Despite the success of the volleyball program in its final season, it did not generate enough revenue to convince James that it was worth funding more than other women’s sports. The men’s soccer team went 5-41-3 from 2005-07 and called a five-win season in 2008 an improvement. Not enough to stick around as a division one program.
The men’s hockey program headlines UMaine’s 15 varsity teams. Two national championships and annual success elevated their status. Three sub-par seasons have passed, and Poplaski blames James for declining attendance figures. The hockey team has encountered unexpected obstacles with players leaving school early to turn pro, but has been able to knock off a pair of top-10 teams this season. It’s impossible to know what the team could have done if Ben Bishop, Andrew Sweetland or Teddy Purcell had stayed longer. James trusts coach Tim Whitehead, who the late Shawn Walsh picked as his successor, and though some impatient supporters of UMaine hockey disagree, he has no reason to dismiss him.
James oversaw the installment of FieldTurf football and baseball fields, a field hockey complex and the Mahaney Dome. The UMaine baseball team was able to play late March home games. Three video scoreboards were installed in Alfond Arena to improve the fan experience as part of UMaine’s television and radio broadcast agreement with Learfield Sports, which made Black Bear sports accessible to a wider audience. These additions would not be possible without generous donors that James must maintain a relationship with and ask for more from, even when times are tough.
James has brought revenue to the university through securing non-conference matchups against high-profile opponents. This year alone the football team traveled to Syracuse University, the men’s hockey team hosted Michigan State and the men’s basketball team will travel to Boston College and the University of Connecticut.
At every men’s home hockey game, James appears on ice with the game’s corporate sponsor to show appreciation for the donation. Advertising has gone as far as having faceoffs sponsored by U.S. Cellular. Coach Whitehead volunteers to co-host a weekly radio show from the Sea Dog Brewery, allowing fans to gain more familiarity with the men’s hockey team. According to a UMaine press release announcing James’ contract extension, student-athletes are volunteering in local schools. Yet Poplaski claims disconnect in the community.
Poplaski feels the women’s hockey and field hockey teams are not being promoted. The athletic director is not responsible for writing press releases about upcoming events or submitting stories about game results to the newspaper. If that was so, I’d have to change my career aspirations. Sports information directors notify media outlets of events and post releases on the school’s athletics Web site. Team schedules are easily accessed, and it is up to coaches to tell the SIDs when special events are happening. James cannot tell a newspaper which stories to publish about UMaine. That is the discretion of the newspaper’s editors.
James has done his part for UMaine by responsibly managing the athletic department budget and bringing in revenue, promoting and rewarding academic achievement, upgrading facilities and trusting coaches and athletes in their pursuit of athletic success. James did try for a job in Florida last year, but appears committed to UMaine now. He has weathered substantial obstacles, and UMaine is fortunate to have him for two more years.
Bangor Daily News