Mizzou Sports Email

New System President Forsee Comments On His Role In Athletics
by OSR Staff
Columbia, MO. - On Monday of this week (Feb. 18th), Gary Forsee officially took over duties as the newest president for the University of Missouri System, which includes campuses in Columbia, Kansas City, Rolla and St. Louis.  Forsee held an introductory news conference with local and statewide media earlier this week to address questions and discuss many topics.  A couple of questions related to athletics came to President Forsee. Below is a transcript of his replies to the athletic-related questions.

A bio on President Forsee can be found online at:

http://www.umsystem.edu/ums/president/

First, President Forsee was asked his thought about the Tiger basketball program, and what he thought about the off-court issues that Coach Mike Anderson has dealt with recently.

FORSEE:  "Let me talk about our University.  Our University has been here since 1839, our University has a great brand, a great name recognition.  And that brand and that recognition is a product of millions of experiences that go along with being part of this University system.  It's our students and the good things that they do on campus and after they leave this campus.  It's a product of our faculty and what our faculty does in creating world-renowned projects and innovations in research and programs.  It's a result of what our campuses have done in creating world-renowned programs, whether it be journalism (in Columbia), or engineering at Rolla, performing arts in Kansas City, or ophthalmology in St. Louis.  Whatever those hallmarks are of the campuses, those all reflect the image of the University.  And, certainly, the success of our teams, on and off the field is an important part of that imagery.  Sometimes, obviously, that raises the image of the University, and hopefully it does in a very positive light, and sometimes when we have events, obviously that's a setback in terms of that image.  Rest assured, that my view is that the image and the brand of the University is an amalgamation of all of those experiences.  To comment on the specific, certainly I've watched the University of Missouri sports teams all my life, and have relished the successes along with all of the opportunities it's presented for our student-athletes.  I think that Coach Anderson, in this case, took decisive action, and ought to be supported for that."

Later, President Forsee was asked a question about college football's Bowl Championship Series and what role that a school president should have in lobbying for his or her team, given the fact that a couple of presidents from Southeastern Conference schools were publicly active in championing the cause of their school for inclusion in the BCS title game.

FORSEE: "My role is to support the chancellors.  I expect the chancellors to be principally involved and principally responsible for all aspects of their campuses, and obviously that includes the athletic department, so I've been clear about that as my role.  I stand ready any time of the day, of the week, of the hour of the day to support them and help them, provide advice, wisdom, council, to talk through any types of opportunities or issues that come along.  I expect the athletic directors and the chancellors to handle that principal responsibility.  If you want an opinion about the bowl championship series, it was fascinating to watch the excitement week-to-week that played out during last fall's football season."