Why Greg Gard, others like Wisconsin's choice of Shawn Eichorst as AD
· Yahoo Sports
MADISON − Incoming Wisconsin athletic director Shawn Eichorst has gained experience seemingly everywhere since he last worked with the Badgers.
He was in the ACC as Miami's athletic director in 2011-12. He then was back in the Big Ten as Nebraska's AD from 2012-17. After the Huskers fired him, Texas hired him as its deputy AD and chief operating officer, giving him experience in the Big 12 and then the SEC during his eight years there.
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Now that the Lone Rock native and UW-Whitewater alum is heading back to his home state, here is what coaches, administrators and others with the Badgers and schools from afar have said about Wisconsin's choice of Eichorst to lead the athletic department:
Wisconsin men's basketball coach Greg Gard
"Shawn brings the perfect combination of understanding what it means to be successful at Wisconsin while adding experience and wisdom from other top collegiate programs,” Gard said in the news release announcing his hiring. “He’s extremely bright and a man of great integrity and passion. He’ll be able to hit the ground running in Madison and guide us into the future of collegiate athletics."
Wisconsin volleyball coach Kelly Sheffield
"He certainly comes in with a lot of experience," Sheffield said in a phone call with the Journal Sentinel. "He's had experience in all four Power Four conferences and knows this state, knows this athletic department, knows this conference. He's coming from a school that has had a lot of overall athletic success, so we're very excited for him to get in here and see what direction he's wanting to take this."
Former Big Ten commissioner Jim Delany
"Shawn is professional, experienced and a person of great integrity with a deep understanding of the challenges facing collegiate athletic administrators," Delany said via the news release. "He has great familiarity with the Big Ten and a love for the University of Wisconsin. This is a great decision by UW and good for the Big Ten and college sports. I wish him and Wisconsin the very best."
Search committee chair Lauren Bishop
"Through our process that began with listening, Shawn emerged as a leader who embodies the bold vision that we need to lead the Badgers in this new and transformational era of college athletics while staying grounded in the values of the Wisconsin Idea, and most importantly, the holistic wellbeing of our student athletes," said Bishop, a social work professor and faculty athletics representative, via the release. "I was particularly impressed by how Shawn innovated and modernized while at the University of Texas, while staying grounded in the holistic wellbeing of student athletes."
Texas football coach Steve Sarkisian
"I’m so grateful for the time we had with Shawn," Sarisian said via the release. "He played a key role in hiring me and has tirelessly helped us build the foundation for success. He is someone that is on top of his job and all that’s going on in the ever-changing landscape of college athletics. He’s passionate about college football, always accessible, supportive and enjoyable to work with. We’ll miss him here, but I have no doubt he’ll continue to have tremendous success leading the athletics department at Wisconsin."
Texas AD Chris Del Conte
"He brought tremendous passion, dedication and vision to his role and helped our athletics department achieve record-setting success both athletically and academically," Del Conte said via the release. "His leadership, insight, and tireless work ethic made a huge impact on Texas Athletics. He was a tremendous resource, trusted advisor and is a dear friend. Shawn pours everything he has into his work and does it with unwavering integrity."
Wisconsin softball coach Yvette Healy
"At Wisconsin, Shawn was tough and smart as an administrator, always caring a great deal about growing our programs and creating a culture of success," Healy said via the release. "I always appreciated his personal approach, listening to and challenging coaches while also supporting us and caring about our families."
Tennessee chancellor Donde Plowman
"Shawn Eichorst is a thoughtful, creative leader, exactly the kind of athletics director who will help create a better future for college athletics," said Plowman, who is the chair of the SEC presidents and chancellors. "He leads with integrity, inspires staff, and cares deeply about the success of every student-athlete. Great hire for Wisconsin."
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Why Greg Gard, others like Wisconsin's choice of Shawn Eichorst as AD