UW-Milwaukee A.D. Costello Resigns

April 23, 2012 /
Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel, Don Walker

http://www.jsonline.com/sports/panthers/uwm-searching-again-for-ad-pn54dr1-148619065.html

UWM Chancellor Mike Lovell said Monday the school is committed to a strong Division I athletic program.

But Lovell will have to do it with a new athletic director after Rick Costello resigned.

Soon after Costello was named athletic director in December 2010, he talked about his dream of perhaps fielding a football team, building an on-campus arena and reaching out to the large alumni base.

Now those plans are on hold as the school looks for yet another athletic director.

Costello had replaced George Koonce, the former Green Bay Packers linebacker, who had a rocky tenure and resigned in June 2010.

In a statement released by the university, Lovell thanked Costello for his service “and we wish him the best as he pursues new opportunities.

“He is a hard-working, dedicated professional,” Lovell added. “With his many talents, I am certain he will do well in the future.”

Lovell said the “change in leadership” will not affect the university’s commitment to its 13 men’s and women’s sports.

“Our student athletes and our coaches have had remarkable success in Horizon League competition as well as in the classroom,” Lovell said.

Costello, a former deputy athletic director at Rutgers, resigned as school officials continue to review the entire athletic program. Sources said the review, among other things, focused on Costello’s management style. UWM officials said they were not prepared to comment on the status of that overview.

Costello, who was paid $201,000 a year, could not be reached for comment but issued a statement through the university. “I have had the opportunity to work with amazing students, coaches, faculty and staff. I have enjoyed my time at UWM. This is a great university and I wish everyone here well.”

The men’s soccer program has a head coaching vacancy and is facing NCAA penalties. Coach Chris Whalley was dismissed, and the school recently self-reported to the NCAA that it had committed six secondary violations.

Whalley had been criticized for his coaching methods and style. Players and soccer alumni had complained to the athletic department months ago, but officials there were slow to react.

The school is also without a women’s head basketball coach. Sandy Botham, who had been coach for 16 years, resigned to take a position in alumni relations.

UWM officials also disclosed Monday that it had canceled an $80,000 contract with a consulting firm that had been hired to develop a strategic plan for the athletic program. University spokesman Tom Luljak said the contract was canceled a month ago and the consulting firm was paid $15,000 for work done to date.

Instead, an ongoing campus-wide strategic plan will incorporate the work done for the athletic program “into a much broader effort that encompasses other university functions,” Luljak said.

Costello had been selected over two other finalists. They were Paul Plinske, currently the athletic director at UW-Whitewater, and M. Grace Calhoun, who was at Indiana University at the time. Calhoun is now director of athletics at Loyola of Chicago. Loyola, like UWM, is a member of the Horizon League.

In its statement, UWM officials said they were considering how best to replace Costello.


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