Brandon, Hollis nominated for SBJ Athletic Director of the Year

Submitted by kakusei on

Not too sure how many SportsBusiness Journal readers are out there, but thought I would let everyone know that Dave Brandon and Mark Hollis were nomiated for SBJ Athletic Director of the year.  They list several 'highlights' for both:

  • Brandon
    • Hired football coach Brady Hoke, who led the Wolverines to an 11-2 record, a win over Ohio State and  a victory in the Sugar Bowl
    • Corporate background brought a new approach to building the Michigan brand and finding ways to increase revenue (this one is sure to get under some skin on this board..)
    • Played the first night game at Michigan Stadium in a nationally televised showdown against Notre Dame
  • Hollis
    • Completed new facilities for Michigan State's baseball, softball, and soccer teams, now upgrading its football stadium with new video boards
    • Brand strength bolstered by the Spartans wearing Nike's new Pro Combat uniforms during the 2011 football season
    • One of six founding members of the Big Ten hockey league, which will begin play in the 2013-2014 season

Other nominees were Bill Bradshaw (Temple), Jeff Long (Arkansas), and Ian McCaw (Baylor).  My vote would be for Jeff Long just for the way he handled the Petrino mess - I don't think many other AD's could have handled it better than Long did.  

In the sports business world these SBJ awards are highly coveted, so I guess they are a big deal for insiders, but thats about it.  

Link to article here:

http://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Journal/Issues/2012/05/21/Events-and-Attractions/2012-SBA-Nominees.aspx

ThadMattasagoblin

May 22nd, 2012 at 4:09 PM ^

What I never understood is why it requires attention getting Oregon-esque uniforms to make money when USC and Alabma seem to be doing fine with their original uniforms, and why aren't we also a founding member of the Big Ten hockey league?

david from wyoming

May 22nd, 2012 at 5:09 PM ^

Not a large enough amount of difference to get worked up about it. Question, does anyone outside of the Michigan online fanbase think we ruined all of our tradition last year? Note, this is an honest question, not typical David from Wyoming snark. USC/Alabama have loads of tradition as well and in my opinion nothing has changed for them by using a few new and alternate jerseys for special games.

We added strips to the shoulders of our uniforms. It's not like we used a non maize/blue/white color scheme (coughMSUbronzecough)

MichiganExile

May 22nd, 2012 at 6:01 PM ^

Well the Trojans haven't actually used alternate jerseys yet. The link you provided was something a poster concocted over at the old wearesc boards. The only jersey "branding" SC has done recently that I can remember was a couple years ago when they played UCLA and both teams wore their home team color jerseys. SC has yet to fall into the alternate jersey craze. Kiffin has stated he's not opposed, but it hasn't happened yet. Most SC fans I know are glad for this. There is nothing wrong about breaking with tradition but if the jerseys are not aesthetically pleasing what's the point?

jmdblue

May 22nd, 2012 at 4:50 PM ^

Bring up "Michigan" and Mark Hollis pretty much degenerates into a 19 year old Sparty frat boy who's about 4 beers into a bender. 

Lionsfan

May 22nd, 2012 at 6:24 PM ^

How is "Founding Member of the Big Ten Hockey" a plus for Hollis? He didn't really do anything, if anything the biggest plus should go to the guy who donated a crapton of money to Penn State to start their hockey

HW_Blue

May 22nd, 2012 at 10:38 PM ^

I'm not sure I'd give Brandon a ton of credit for the Hoke hire.  It turned out to be a great move, but it wasn't like Hoke was Brandon's first choice and Brandon's attempt to land Harbaugh was a bit embarrassing.

I'd give it to Long for the Petrino firing.  In this day, in the SEC, that took guts.

Hardware Sushi

May 23rd, 2012 at 8:58 AM ^

The thing people forget is that Jeff Long hired Petrino and everybody knew he was slime.

I don't know why he keeps getting kudos for a terrible hire that he had to fire....