Former Miami AD Paul Dee Dies At 65

The Associated Press

http://www.usatoday.com/sports/college/story/2012-05-13/miami-paul-dee-dies/54940434/1

Paul Dee, who was Miami’s athletic director from 1993 through 2008 and continued serving the school as a member of its faculty, has died, university officials said Sunday. He was 65.

During his tenure as athletic director Dee oversaw Miami’s move from the Big East to the Atlantic Coast Conference, as well as the construction of the Hurricanes’ on-campus basketball arena and other projects. The Hurricanes won national championships in football and baseball during Dee’s time running the department.

The university said Dee died Saturday night.

“We lost a teacher, leader, friend and a truly loyal man today,” Miami athletic director Shawn Eichorst said. “Paul Dee devoted every ounce of energy and passion to the University of Miami over many, many years. The Hurricane family sends its condolences and grieves along with his family and friends.”

Before serving as its AD, Dee started work as Miami’s general counsel in 1981.

“The entire University of Miami community is saddened by the loss of Paul Dee,” Miami President Donna Shalala said. “A proud alumnus, he will be remembered for his distinguished career and service to the University.”

Dee also was a member of the NCAA’s committee on infractions, most notably when sanctions — including a bowl ban, scholarship reductions and forfeiture of games — came down against Southern California in 2010, all stemming from improper benefits given to then-Heisman Trophy winner Reggie Bush by sports marketers. Dee chaired the committee at the time, then saying “higher-profile players require higher-profile monitoring.”

Those words were oft-repeated a year later, when Miami found itself dealing with another high-profile NCAA scandal.

Widespread claims came out in 2011 of extra benefits having been provided by rogue booster and convicted Ponzi scheme architect Nevin Shapiro during an eight-year span, much of which occurred during Dee’s time as athletic director. That investigation is ongoing, with sanctions possible in the coming months.

“I don’t think any of us had any idea what he was doing,” Dee said last year.