UMass changes include AD - The Boston Globe (Boston, MA)

AMHERST -- The University of Massachusetts announced sweepingchanges in its athletic program yesterday, including the resignationof 20-year athletic director Frank McInerney.

McInerney did not attend the press conference held by UMasschancellor Richard O'Brien, and efforts to reach him wereunsuccessful.

O'Brien also said David Bischoff will give up his post as dean ofthe School of Physical Eduation to become director of Mullins Arena,which is under construction and should be ready for use nextFebruary. The facility will be operated by an outside manager.

'In light of this change, it seems a good time to separate out theathletic budget from the Provost's Office and have it become part ofthe Chancellor's budget,' said O'Brien. 'I have asked David tocontinue to work with the athletic director on a day-to-day basis,but of course I shall be personally involved in major decisions as Ihave been in recent months.'

O'Brien said McInerney 'has graciously agreed to stay on throughAug. 31' and will be given the Chancellor's Medal in recognition ofhis contributions to the school.

Bischoff said a search committee has been formed to findMcInerney's successor. Committee members include basketball coachJohn Calipari and Athletic Council head Steve Fletcher. BostonCollege athletic director Chet Gladchuk, who has a masters degree insports management from UMass, will serve as a nonvoting adviser tothe committee 'to help out in any way he can,' said Bischoff.

Bischoff plans to stay on as dean until the end of the schoolyear.

The changes come at a time when many in the UMass community remaindivided over the football-scholarship controversy that led to theresignation of coach Jim Reid. But Bischoff and O'Brien both saidthe changes are not a direct result of the controversy, and Bischoffadded that McInerney approached him about retiring as early as 1989.

The chancellor will send a letter to football alumni asking themfor more financial support of the program.

'Our present income will only permit us the level of 30scholarships and five coaches,' he said. 'The decision has thebacking of faculty and trustees.

'We appeal to interested alumni to commit to four years ofsupport, on a rolling basis, to enable us to come as close aspossible to the maximum. Eventually that would require $300,000 moreannually in scholarships and $80,000 more in coaches' salaries andbenefits. If we get no new money, we will commit to an eventuallevel of 30 scholarships and five coaches.' Currently UMass offers52 football scholarships.

O'Brien said this drive is needed because state funding has beencut 30 percent over the past three years, and school enrollment isdown from 20,000 to 17,000, reducing student fees by $510,000. Hesaid support for the athletic department has been reduced by morethan $700,000, and football is by far the most expensive sport, using$1.4 million of the $5.8 million athletic budget.

Former UMass quarterback Mike McEvilly, one of several alumnidispleased over the scholarship controversy, said the alumni will tryto raise funds but it would not be easy.

'We feel it's important for the alumni to support the program,which is why we formed an alumni group,' he said. 'But to ask forone-fourth of the budget to be supported by alumni is like askingalumni to pay for the team, and what is a university for?'