Wyoming President Buchanan Stepping Down

[OrediggerPoke]

Curious as to why? I think the athletic program has certainly improved during his tenure.

http://trib.com/news/state-and-regional/university-of-wyoming-president-buchanan-plans-to-step-down/article_200db956-f850-11e1-aec8-0019bb2963f4.html

 

[fromolwyoming]

Same here. Also curious to see who replaces him.

 

[Cornpoke]

Good riddance. Now if only we could get rid of the Board of Trustees as well. It's their small time thinking that have held UW back.

 

[BeaverPoke]

Ok what makes you guys think it is completely sports related? or even kind of sports related? He isn't an AD, he is the top dog at the entire university. Sports can often be the lowest of priorities for presidents when there are other issues surrounding the university... Especially a place like UW where we all know has a bit of a drinking problem...
Not saying he is quitting because we're all alcholics but it doesn't have to be sports related either...

 

[WYCowboy]

If I had to guess his reasons (this is a guess), I would say it has something to do with the 8% budget decrease the governor has demanded for UW. The board of trustees aren't the only culprits here, the governor (& legislature) has decided it was more important to bolster the rainy day accounts with more than 400 million than it was to keep supporting The University of Wyoming - the only 4 year university in the State of Wyoming - and roads & other needs in the state.

 

[OrediggerPoke]

Ok what makes you guys think it is completely sports related? or even kind of sports related? He isn't an AD, he is the top dog at the entire university. Sports can often be the lowest of priorities for presidents when there are other issues surrounding the university... Especially a place like UW where we all know has a bit of a drinking problem...
Not saying he is quitting because we're all alcholics but it doesn't have to be sports related either...

Not a single person in this thread has said or has inferred he is quitting for any athletics related reason.

However, to say that the President has little impact or that sports are of little priority to the President is completely wrong. For instance look at all of the recent MWC expansion/losses and the President's involvement in such negotations. Look at the statements that Buchanan has made to the media in specific regards to the MWC.

People try to deny the fact that athletics and education are intertwined and that both can affect the other; regardless, they are wrong. Simply look at applications and quality of applications to universities with recent athletic success.

 

[Wyo2dal]

Ok what makes you guys think it is completely sports related? or even kind of sports related? He isn't an AD, he is the top dog at the entire university. Sports can often be the lowest of priorities for presidents when there are other issues surrounding the university... Especially a place like UW where we all know has a bit of a drinking problem...
Not saying he is quitting because we're all alcholics but it doesn't have to be sports related either...

Not a single person in this thread has said or has inferred he is quitting for any athletics related reason.

However, to say that the President has little impact or that sports are of little priority to the President is completely wrong. For instance look at all of the recent MWC expansion/losses and the President's involvement in such negotations. Look at the statements that Buchanan has made to the media in specific regards to the MWC.

People try to deny the fact that athletics and education are intertwined and that both can affect the other; regardless, they are wrong. Simply look at applications and quality of applications to universities with recent athletic success.

Honestly I think this is sports related, I think it's related to the level of national coverage and the lack of online media streaming. Just those two things alone can really cause a job much more stress than needed. From that stand point I could easily see him saying to the hell with it the university & state won't get what is needed and I'm sick of trying when I can go to any other state and get exactly what is needed.

FFS even ISU has online video streaming for sports.

It's doubtful we will ever know the real reason but I think it has a lot to do with what Wyoming is failing at and that is athletics.

 

[The Virginian]

If it's true, then President Buchanan may simply want to retire. He's been a fixture at UW for many, many years in various capacities and he simply may want to retire. Or, he may have gotten an offer he couldn't refuse. Or there are family and private reasons. Let's let the man actually announce that he's leaving and explain why he's doing so.

 

[Cornpoke]

If it's true, then President Buchanan may simply want to retire. He's been a fixture at UW for many, many years in various capacities and he simply may want to retire. Or, he may have gotten an offer he couldn't refuse. Or there are family and private reasons. Let's let the man actually announce that he's leaving and explain why he's doing so.

That's why we have the internet. Speculation is sooo much more exciting than the truth

 

[BeaverPoke]

Ok what makes you guys think it is completely sports related? or even kind of sports related? He isn't an AD, he is the top dog at the entire university. Sports can often be the lowest of priorities for presidents when there are other issues surrounding the university... Especially a place like UW where we all know has a bit of a drinking problem...
Not saying he is quitting because we're all alcholics but it doesn't have to be sports related either...

Not a single person in this thread has said or has inferred he is quitting for any athletics related reason.

However, to say that the President has little impact or that sports are of little priority to the President is completely wrong. For instance look at all of the recent MWC expansion/losses and the President's involvement in such negotations. Look at the statements that Buchanan has made to the media in specific regards to the MWC.

People try to deny the fact that athletics and education are intertwined and that both can affect the other; regardless, they are wrong. Simply look at applications and quality of applications to universities with recent athletic success.

oredigger, you are the one who first indicated sports, you mentioned that all sports have been improving since his tenure here, that was my point, then someone elses comment with the "small time thinking holding us back". Same thing we have heard time and time again about our sports.


And not saying the president has no responsibilities in the sports but the truth is, the sports are just one thing on his agenda. So many sports fans across the country and on this board don't realize that college isn't just for sports...

 

[Cornpoke]

I think the ultimate example is Boise... they were nothing until their football program had success. They put the right people in place to build a nationally recognized university. Boise academics may not be great but they are head and shoulders above where they were 10 years ago and you can credit much of that to football success. Their success in football has helped improve admissions, the campus, new buildings for academics, and an overall sense of pride in the state and university.

The point is the athletics department is the front porch of a University. We have not taken advantage of that. It's time to get some people here who can.

 

[MrTitleist]

He's retiring, according to his press conference this afternoon.. highly unlikely it's athletics related... some people just get old and don't want to work anymore.

 

[fromolwyoming]

He's retiring, according to his press conference this afternoon.. highly unlikely it's athletics related... some people just get old and don't want to work anymore.

If that's all, works for me.

 

[OrediggerPoke]

oredigger, you are the one who first indicated sports, you mentioned that all sports have been improving since his tenure here, that was my point, then someone elses comment with the "small time thinking holding us back". Same thing we have heard time and time again about our sports.


And not saying the president has no responsibilities in the sports but the truth is, the sports are just one thing on his agenda. So many sports fans across the country and on this board don't realize that college isn't just for sports...

I actually think the majority of this board has attended or is attending the University and knows a little bit more about the University than just the sports program. (which is quite a bit different than an Ohio State or Texas message board)

 

[OrediggerPoke]

He's retiring, according to his press conference this afternoon.. highly unlikely it's athletics related... some people just get old and don't want to work anymore.

Let's be honest, while that may be completely true, often times people leave for other reasons and cite that as the reason. Politics play a lot in the position of President.

 

[BeaverPoke]

oredigger, you are the one who first indicated sports, you mentioned that all sports have been improving since his tenure here, that was my point, then someone elses comment with the "small time thinking holding us back". Same thing we have heard time and time again about our sports.


And not saying the president has no responsibilities in the sports but the truth is, the sports are just one thing on his agenda. So many sports fans across the country and on this board don't realize that college isn't just for sports...

I actually think the majority of this board has attended or is attending the University and knows a little bit more about the University than just the sports program. (which is quite a bit different than an Ohio State or Texas message board)

you're not getting my point man, i'm not saying that we on this board don't realize that there is a school behind the football team, my point is that a lot of people on here couldn't care less about what is going on in day to day activites within the academic and business side of the school, only that facilities are upgraded, new better recruits are coming in, and that all that matters is that we win.
it's a sports sports sports mentallity, and unless you are an actual student at the time, you don't give a crap about academics, just sports sports sports.

 

[Cornpoke]

oredigger, you are the one who first indicated sports, you mentioned that all sports have been improving since his tenure here, that was my point, then someone elses comment with the "small time thinking holding us back". Same thing we have heard time and time again about our sports.


And not saying the president has no responsibilities in the sports but the truth is, the sports are just one thing on his agenda. So many sports fans across the country and on this board don't realize that college isn't just for sports...

I actually think the majority of this board has attended or is attending the University and knows a little bit more about the University than just the sports program. (which is quite a bit different than an Ohio State or Texas message board)

you're not getting my point man, i'm not saying that we on this board don't realize that there is a school behind the football team, my point is that a lot of people on here couldn't care less about what is going on in day to day activites within the academic and business side of the school, only that facilities are upgraded, new better recruits are coming in, and that all that matters is that we win.
it's a sports sports sports mentallity, and unless you are an actual student at the time, you don't give a crap about academics, just sports sports sports.

I disagree somewhat. I think they compliment each other more than you think. Success on the football field can help academically. Utah is another great example, by having success on the football field the PAC12 took notice and as a result they are now in line with some great academic schools. Utah even had PAC12 flags displayed at their graduation!

 

[BeaverPoke]

oredigger, you are the one who first indicated sports, you mentioned that all sports have been improving since his tenure here, that was my point, then someone elses comment with the "small time thinking holding us back". Same thing we have heard time and time again about our sports.


And not saying the president has no responsibilities in the sports but the truth is, the sports are just one thing on his agenda. So many sports fans across the country and on this board don't realize that college isn't just for sports...

I actually think the majority of this board has attended or is attending the University and knows a little bit more about the University than just the sports program. (which is quite a bit different than an Ohio State or Texas message board)

you're not getting my point man, i'm not saying that we on this board don't realize that there is a school behind the football team, my point is that a lot of people on here couldn't care less about what is going on in day to day activites within the academic and business side of the school, only that facilities are upgraded, new better recruits are coming in, and that all that matters is that we win.
it's a sports sports sports mentallity, and unless you are an actual student at the time, you don't give a crap about academics, just sports sports sports.

I disagree somewhat. I think they compliment each other more than you think. Success on the football field can help academically. Utah is another great example, by having success on the football field the PAC12 took notice and as a result they are now in line with some great academic schools. Utah even had PAC12 flags displayed at their graduation!

Umm... maybe I'm not being clear...I understand that the athletics are a huge part of the university, but my point is that the president often has a shit ton of issues to deal with that are not sports related, and that a lot of fans, especially those who have never attended or will never attend a university (texas fans, ohio state fans, florida fans, etc. etc.) think that sports are the ONLY thing going on.

again, not saying the academics and sports don't go hand in hand, but there are times when they are not related. and that people need to see beyond just sports. As well as academics.
Following me?

 

[OrediggerPoke]

you're not getting my point man, i'm not saying that we on this board don't realize that there is a school behind the football team, my point is that a lot of people on here couldn't care less about what is going on in day to day activites within the academic and business side of the school, only that facilities are upgraded, new better recruits are coming in, and that all that matters is that we win.
it's a sports sports sports mentallity, and unless you are an actual student at the time, you don't give a crap about academics, just sports sports sports.

I disagree with this statement. While its obvious most of us that post here are sports fans, I also think a lot of us care deeply about the academic/business side of the university (as many of us have degrees that we want to maintain their value). For instance, my donations to the university do not go to CJC but rather go to a specific academic program that I am passionate about.

 

[HellBass]

Utah did not become academically better because of their athletics. They have always been an excellent academic school. The PAC-12 brought them on board because their athletics finally got a little better in addition to their historical excellence academically. Boise State was always a city college with a student body of about 1/2 non-traditional vs. 1/2 traditional students. This demographic has hardly changed because of the performance of their football team. If you look at what has happened on campus both academically and athletically in regards to facilities and programs, Wyoming stands HEAD AND SHOULDERS above Boise State in every way. I have a little extra insight into this, as I have degrees from both Wyoming and Boise State. It's also the reason Boise is heading to the Big East and not the PAC-12...their academics are no where near on par with most of the other universities in that conference, and they probably never will be no matter how good their football team gets. Are there improvements being made at Boise State...absolutely. But to suggest that President Buchanan lacked vision or leadership during his tenure at Wyoming is ridiculous. I don't have a horse in this race, I just think it's obvious. My 2 cents...