Newswire Sports Opinion: Xavier AD Mike Bobinski

A 15-year tradition of excel- lence in athletics was abruptly ended last Wednesday as Xavier University announced ath- letic director Mike Bobinski's acceptance of the Athletic Department position at Georgia Tech. Bobinski, who has held the title of AD for 12 years at Xavier, will be filling a posi- tion at Georgia Tech which has been vacant since Nov. 5, 2012. He will become just the eighth AD in Georgia Tech history. Although Bobinski will be leav- ing Xavier shortly, he won't be making the move to Atlanta just yet. In an announcement re- leased on Jan. 16, President Fr. Michael Graham S.J. said that Bobinski will be staying on with the university until March 22. The Bobinski era should be remembered fondly; Xavier has experienced great success during his tenure as AD (1998- 2004, 2006-2013). Bobinski will almost assur- edly be remembered most for the success of the basketball program during his time at the university. The men's team has made the Sweet Sixteen four of the last five years, thrusting Xavier basketball into the elite company of Kansas, Michigan State and North Carolina as one of four programs to accomplish such a feat. Clearly, success like
this has made Xavier a name synonymous with a great bas- ketball pedigree which can be traced back to this XU AD. Bobinski is also currently in his last year as the chair of the NCAA Basketball Committee. While holding this prestigious title as chair and spokesperson, he has been one of the main people responsible for selecting the NCAA Tournament teams. The former Xavier AD has had more than just a defining footprint on the NCAA bas- ketball world, however. Under his management, Xavier athlet- ics have thrived, a claim backed by the 97 percent graduation rate of Xavier student athletes. Better yet, this rate has posi- tioned Xavier at No. 11 for stu- dent athlete graduation among colleges throughout the nation. Of course, losing a well- renowned athletic director like Mike Bobinski should leave Xavier Nation saddened for the present time but hopeful for the future. All the same, finding Bobinski's replacement could prove a critical task in maintain- ing the high expectations of Xavier athletics. Fr. Graham has assured that this process has already started, and the "University will conduct a confidential search process through the President's Office," although there is no timetable for the selection of a new ath- letic director.