Eric Sexton

[1972Shocker]

Lutz Quoting President Beggs in today's Eagle:

"Eric's (lack of experience) is a legitimate concern," Beggs admitted Wednesday, after Sexton's hiring was announced during an afternoon news conference. "But I'm making a judgment. I'm willing to stake what I think is there because I've worked with him."

Eric might be great; his people skills are very strong. However Beggs is ... 70 (??) ... and is going to retire "soon" (within 5 years? 2 years? I don't know). If it is a bad choice, he may not be here to suffer the effects.

Dr. Beggs has made the hire so this is on him, even if retires tomorrow. It is now and will ever be part of his legacy.

None of us knows for sure how Eric will work out, including Dr. Beggs. However, Dr. Beggs is in a lot better shape to make that judgement than I am and from what I can tell he is a pretty sharp cookie.

Besides, I like people who are capable of thinking outside the box and willing to taking a little risk. Successful people often do those things.

I optimistic that this decision will not tarnish Dr. Begg;s legacy.

[60Shock]

The decision has been made and there is nothing we can do to change even if someone wanted to.

Let's give the new guy the benefit of the doubt, until proven otherwise, that he has the smarts and capability to not maintain, but to take WSU to a new level.

And if there is no visible sign of progress within four years, fire his butt.

[rrshock]

So once Beggs retires, is there a good chance that this is the guy to bring football back?

[SubGod22]

I certainly hope so

[1972Shocker]

So once Beggs retires, is there a good chance that this is the guy to bring football back?

I doubt it.

[SpanglerFan316]

So once Beggs retires, is there a good chance that this is the guy to bring football back?

I doubt it.

I agree, '72. Football requires a lot of money. A LOT of money.

On Eric as AD, I feel cautiously optimistic.
1. He has great "people skills."
2. As far as I have heard in the media, the coaches and big donors like and support him.
3. I assume JS is a resource for Eric.
4. The university (e.g. President, administration, faculty) will support him.
5. He was chair of the NCAA "recertification" effort in 2006(?) and knows how the athletic department works.
6. I really want him to be successful.

:goshocks: :goshocks: :goshocks: :goshocks: :goshocks: :D

[Snapshot9]

As much as I would like him to be successful, you can not ignore:

1) His obvious lack of experience in the field.
2) His lack of a 'working grapevine' among Athletic Directors around the country.

I am sure he will 'not be making waves' for quite some time as he gets acclimated into his new job, but it seems to me that 'he fell into this job'
much like his wife did for the citry manager's job in Derby.

[wushock]

Sour grapes

[SubGod22]

He's been in and around the athletic department so he knows how it runs and operates. He's surrounded by people who definitely know what's going on and how things are done. He doesn't have to do anything big in the near future except raise money and promote the school.

[The Mad Hatter]

He's been in and around the athletic department so he knows how it runs and operates. He's surrounded by people who definitely know what's going on and how things are done. He doesn't have to do anything big in the near future except raise money and promote the school.

And, on top of that, since he knows Jim and has worked with him, he has a great source of advice and contacts when he needs them.

[ISASO]

Again, how many of you want Gary Hunter back? He had everything you claim that Eric Sexton is lacking. How did he work out for WSU in the early 90's?

[SpanglerFan316]

My opinion of President Beggs' choice just went up:
As evidence, members point to examples of diversity at its best in Wichita -- such as this week's hiring of Eric Sexton as Wichita State University's new athletic director. Sexton is the state's first black athletic director at an NCAA Division I school. http://www.kansas.com/news/story/370722.html Where do KU and KSU stand with respect to diversity?

Eric is an ``insider'' and a WSU supporter. If he is not being successful, I'll bet he would offer to step down and return to his highly successful job representing WSU in Topeka. He has the academic standing to serve in a high position at WSU and he loves the university. Do I want Eric as AD when he is 63 years old? I don't know because it depends on the quality of his work but sometimes change is good; I don't really expect Eric to be AD for 20 years. I do expect him to do a good job for 5-6 years and leave the athletic department in better shape than it is now. I expect him to step down if he is not successful. It seems like a win-win situation; we keep him for as long as we want if he is successful and he leaves if he can't do the job well enough for WSU athletics to keep improving.

[1972Shocker]

While it is true that Eric does not have much experience in Athletic Department Administration, he does have experiences and skills that a lifer in Athletic Administration would not have.

Hard to believe there is a candidate who could bring a better knowledge of WSU as an institution to the table.

[ShockRef]

My opinion of President Beggs' choice just went up:
As evidence, members point to examples of diversity at its best in Wichita -- such as this week's hiring of Eric Sexton as Wichita State University's new athletic director. Sexton is the state's first black athletic director at an NCAA Division I school. http://www.kansas.com/news/story/370722.html Where do KU and KSU stand with respect to diversity?

Eric is an ``insider'' and a WSU supporter. If he is not being successful, I'll bet he would offer to step down and return to his highly successful job representing WSU in Topeka. He has the academic standing to serve in a high position at WSU and he loves the university. Do I want Eric as AD when he is 63 years old? I don't know because it depends on the quality of his work but sometimes change is good; I don't really expect Eric to be AD for 20 years. I do expect him to do a good job for 5-6 years and leave the athletic department in better shape than it is now. I expect him to step down if he is not successful. It seems like a win-win situation; we keep him for as long as we want if he is successful and he leaves if he can't do the job well enough for WSU athletics to keep improving.

Exactly what does 'diversity' have to do with being a qualified A.D.? Absolutely nothing.
This sounds like a typical liberal slant to make one's self 'feel better' about being a so-called good citizen.
This appointment should have nothing to do with diversity. It had better be about the right guy for the job. Diversity may make some feel good at the moment. But that 'feel good' moment will be long forgotten if they are not qualified to perform the job and the department suffers the consequences. 8)

[xazshox]

More on the AD choice

I listened to the press conference on the radio when Dr Beggs announced Eric Sexton as his choice for AD the other day. I then watched it over again via a video on Go Shockers. Dr Beggs said that he began studying how other AD were chosen about 4 years ago & he made the point that what he learned from it is there there is no set pattern on who gets chosen for the position of AD. I believe his point is that people are chosen based on their ability & that is what led to his choice of Eric Sexton to be the new AD at WSU.