Posted on 03/09/2003 6:34:34 PM PST by GeneD
BUFFALO, N.Y. -- St. Bonaventure president Robert Wickenheiser resigned Sunday in the wake of the school's troubled men's basketball program.
The university's board of trustees, which unanimously sought Wickenheiser's resignation, also placed athletics director Gothard Lane and head coach Jan van Breda Kolff on administrative leave.
The board, which met in Buffalo, released a joint statement, citing Wickenheiser's failed leadership.
"The board believes the actions it took today and those actions it will continue to take will begin a process of healing and strong and appropriate leadership," the trustees said.
The board appointed Fr. Dominic Monti, the school's professor of church history, as interim president. Assistant coach Billy McCaffrey was named the team's interim coach.
The moves come at the end of a tumultuous week.
Last Monday, the Atlantic 10 Conference stripped the team of six league victories and barred it from conference postseason play after center Jamil Terrell was ruled ineligible for violating NCAA junior transfer guidelines. A day later, the players announced they would boycott the final two games, including Saturday's scheduled season-finale at home against No. 21 Dayton.
Following the A-10 sanctions, Wickenheiser took full responsibility for approving Terrell's transfer.
Terrell, who transferred last year after two seasons at Coastal Georgia Community College in Brunswick, Ga., was ruled ineligible because he did not have an associate's degree, but had earned a certificate in welding at his former school.
Wickenheiser's son, Kort Wickenheiser, was an assistant coach under van Breda Kolff and was also placed on administrative leave.
In making its decision, the board appointed a committee to review all aspects of the men's basketball program. The committee has been asked to submit a report by April 15.
The school's students and faculty, who begin classes Monday after their spring break, were to be updated at an information meeting at the Reilly Center gymnasium later Sunday.
Hell, at least this "athlete scholar" didn't totally mess it up. If he half way paid attention at his vo-tec junior college, he will have learned a real trade to use once his "academic and athletic career " is over - which might be next week or so.
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