Marcum named the AD at UMass - The Boston Globe (Boston, MA)

In conducting a long and complicated search for an athleticdirector, the University of Massachusetts indicated it wanted a manof high integrity to steer its troubled program in the 1990s.

Last night UMass gave Bob Marcum a three-year contract to fulfillthat challenge. Marcum, who was unemployed, was fired as athleticdirector at the University of South Carolina in 1988 and resigned asvice president and general manager of Atlanta Motor Speedway in June1992.

A source at the Amherst college last night called the appointment'controversial.'

Marcum, 56, was fired March 1, 1988, by South Carolina presidentJames Holderman for allegedly mismanaging the school's drug testingpolicies. Marcum sued for breach of contract and won an award of$234,425 in federal court. He became vice president of CharlotteMotor Speedway in 1988 and joined Atlanta in 1990.

According to the Spartanburg Herald-Journal, Holderman firedMarcum for misrepresenting the school's drug testing program after aspecial task force reported that there had not been random drugtesting of athletes since the spring of 1986 and that at least oneathlete who tested positive for drugs three times was allowed toremain on scholarship.

Holderman resigned in 1990 amid controversy over his spending atthe Columbia, S.C., college. Holderman pleaded guilty in 1991 toaccepting extra compensation while a state employee and pleaded nocontest to tax evasion.

According to the Atlanta Constitution, Marcum resigned hisposition at Atlanta Motor Speedway, citing 'lack of retirementbenefits.'

A year ago, UMass was embroiled in controversy. Football coachJim Reid resigned after a scholarship dispute. In addition, therewas an investigation for allegations of misuse of athletic departmentfunds.

A search committee recommended Marcum's appointment by consensus.

UMass chancellor Richard O'Brien called Marcum a person of'commitment, vision, contacts, leadership ability, publicpresentation skills, knowledge and proven success in athleticadministration. Bob Marcum is a well-rounded administrator who willtake our athletic program to the next level of success.'

'I have heard nothing but positive comments from a large number ofpeople who have known Bob Marcum, including Dick Riley, the newSecretary of Education and former governor of South Carolina,' saidMichael Hooker, president of the university system. 'I look forwardto Mr. Marcum leading UMass-Amherst into a new era of excellence inintercollegiate athletics.

'The administration is strongly committed to the program, andduring my visits to the campus, I met with alumni, trustees andmembers of the Athletic Council and saw a similarly strong andenthusiastic commitment.'

Marcum's contract is renewable for a subsequent three-year term,with one year's notice of nonrenewal. He will receive a base salaryof $100,000 a year with incentives based on five areas, includingacademic performance of student athletes and fiscal accountability.

Marcum earned a master's degree in education administration fromthe University of Akron in 1970. He received a bachelor's in socialstudies and physical education from Marshall University in 1959. Hewas associate athletic director at Iowa State from 1971-78 and AD atKansas from 1978-82. He was at South Carolina from 1982-88.

Marcum succeeds Glenn Wong, who was named interim athleticdirector Sept. 1. Wong took over for Frank McInerney, who retired inSeptember after 20 years with the university.

Wong, formerly head of the widely respected sports managementprogram at UMass, will become acting dean of the school of physicaleducation until July 1, when he returns to his position at the schoolof sports management.

'I enjoyed the job very much. We got a lot accomplished in ashort period of time,' said Wong. 'We stabilized the footballsituation and settled the Title IX issue by reinstituting threewomen's sports. UMass athletics is well positioned to continue tostrive towards excellence.'