Archives
Questions &Answers
Warde Manuel is UB's new director of athletics.
What attracted you to the athletic director position at UB?
It was the people, and ultimately President Simpson's commitment to
athletics. He wants to see it very successful, similar to academics at
the university.
What goals have you set for yourself and for the Division of
Athletics during your first year?
Really, during the first few
months, I want to get to know the staff and start to understand the
culture before I would implement anything that can be considered
sweeping changes or major changes to what we do here in the athletic
department. I'm looking forward to really understanding that and trying
to secure a budget in terms of where we are in the MAC (Mid American
Conference), reviewing the Corrigan Report and taking a good hard look
at the way things are done here and making as many improvements as I can
in the first year. I also want to increase the support of the university
community toward all of the athletic programs.
What plans do you have to help UB's athletic programs get in
position to win MAC titles?
I think it will take the coaches
continuing to do the great job with the student-athletes that they're
doing. When necessary, we'll look at increases in support—whether
it's through operating dollars or facilities or equipment needs. But,
it's really continuing the support of the athletic programs so that they
can continue to achieve and increase their level of success in the MAC
and the NCAA.
UB is undergoing an extensive strategic planning effort, UB 2020.
Where would you like to see UB athletics in 15 years?
I'd like
to see UB be a formidable opponent and talked about in almost every
sport within a 15-year period—that when the top teams in this (MAC)
conference are talked about, that UB is mentioned in everything that we
do, that there's excellence there, that people understand that the
quality of our programs will be such that we will compete at the highest
level of our conference and go into the NCAAs and have a chance of being
successful. In 15 years, that's what I would hope to see, as well as an
infrastructure and an operating budget that allows this athletic
department to be competitive in the MAC, the region and in the
nation.
What do you think is the most important aspect of building a
successful athletics program at the NCAA Division I-A level?
I've talked to the student-athletes, and I really think it is
recruiting a student-athlete who understands that he or she needs
excellence in being both a student and an athlete. By that, I mean one
doesn't become an excuse for another. On top of that, the coaching staff
and the surrounding assistant coaches and support staff, as well as the
facilities, are all important. The ability to train year-round, which is
where it's going, is another factor. Most of the student-athletes at UB
and at most institutions at the Division I-A level want to train
year-round in terms of being successful in their own athletic endeavors.
It's not about the coaches pushing them or overworking them. In most
cases, student-athletes at this level really want to achieve and
sometimes you have to pull them away from their sport. Those are
probably the things that would make the biggest difference.
What do you see as the biggest roadblocks to the UB athletics
program right now?
It is probably, as I look at it, a
combination of understanding what it will take to achieve in the long
term and commitment by the student-athletes. I think President Simpson
is willing to look at the resources necessary to improve both the
operating budget, as well as the facility needs in the athletic
division. I think the roadblocks are really minimal. I think we're close
to success in many of our sports in terms of championships that we can
win. All of our teams have the ability to compete at this level. If they
don't, then they will shortly and their expectations will increase. They
will be competitive teams in this league.
To earn your master's degree in social work in 1993, you conducted
research in the areas of team, group and community organization
theories. What kind of impact have those studies had on your athletic
administrative style?
I think it's been more the social work and
the psychology that have gotten me to understand the need to have
people involved in terms of decision-making, that you can't impact a
group without the members' input and involvement in decision-making.
It's extremely helpful to have that sort of sense that social work
teaches you—that you have to begin with the people that you're
trying to affect. The student-athletes and the coaches become extremely
important in my administrative style. I want their feedback and
information on what they want this athletic department to look like in
terms of success and how to get it.
While a defensive lineman on the University of Michigan's football
team, the Wolverines participated in Rose Bowls during three of your
four years. What were some of the things that have stuck with you from
your time playing at that elite level of competition?
I would
not trade my experience as a student-athlete for anything. I'd do it
over and over again. The friendships, the teammates, the success that I
had for those four years are going to last a lifetime. Some of my best
friends have come out of that experience. I think not only at an elite
level, but at any level of athletics, that can happen. It's about the
experience and what the student-athletes want to get out of their
experiences during their time competing. Part of that experience is
having the opportunity to win and part of that experience is actually
winning and overcoming and doing those things that made it extremely
valuable and rewarding for me. It was a great experience, a great time
and many great friendships came out of it.
During your years in the Michigan athletic department, you
witnessed an NCAA championship in basketball (1989), football (1997),
field hockey (2001), men's gymnastics (1999), men's ice hockey (1998)
and softball (2005). What did you see those teams do to overcome
challenges and win their titles?
I think it's grit and
determination. The athletes are talented, the coaches are extremely good
at coaching, but most of the difference between the championship teams
that I've seen and the ones that don't win is determination. You get the
lucky breaks here and there, but you really have a group of people who
are working in one direction. When you get that, you get a sense of
support and continuation that somebody is going to step up and perform.
You also have a group of people who say, 'I want that person to be me.'
When you have that sort of mindset, where everybody wants to be that
person who performs the best and makes the big play, and you have a
whole team performing in that manner, great things will happen. Watching
Michigan's women's softball team this year was probably one of the
prouder moments that I've had. I've known (head coach) Carol Hutchins
for a number of years and to see that softball team achieve after all
the things they've been through and to see them step up the way they
did, it was a great accomplishment.
What has been your favorite moment while being a part of
collegiate athletics?
I will never forget my first game as a
student-athlete in Michigan Stadium, running out of the tunnel in front
of 100,000 people. I'd also have to say the Michigan-Michigan State
three-overtime game last year, which Michigan won 45-37 after trailing
27-10 halfway through the fourth quarter. Being a part of that and being
on the field during that comeback and that victory.