UMaine’s new AD

The selection of Suzanne Tyler as athletic director of the University of Maine sends several signals to the public. She joins UMaine at a crucial time in the history of its sports programs, and her tenure is certain to have a lasting affect on the programs’ future.

After a long stay at the University of Maryland, Ms. Tyler has demonstrated that she knows something about running a big-time sports program. She was a highly successful field hockey and lacrosse coach there and was promoted eventually to senior associate athletic director. Her experience with a large program should translate well at UMaine, which has undergone growing pains as its teams have improved and NCAA rules have gotten more complex.

The impending decision from the NCAA on infractions at UMaine will not be the first time the new athletic director has worked with that body. Maryland has had its share of difficulty, and news reports reflect that Ms. Tyler, 48 years old, worked hard and negotiated well in defense of her school, where she was in charge of athletic compliance. UMaine needs to build a more positive relationship with the NCAA. Her appointment suggests that President Fred Hutchinson is interested in seeing that happen.

Finally, by selecting a woman for its top spot in athletics, the university signaled that it is serious about continuing its search for gender equity. Though university officials said that her sex had nothing to do with her appointment, Ms. Tyler, as the first woman named to this post, should be a real asset to UMaine’s ambitious three-year plan to improve gender equity, announced last year by President Hutchinson. The Tyler appointment could be even more significant than the $700,000 plan. Attitude is at least as important as the money, and the thousands of large and small decisions she will make this year can create an atmosphere of acceptance and encouragement for university women.

During her interview for the job, Ms. Tyler outlined three missions for an AD: creating friends and fans outside the university; gathering support on campus from students, administrators and faculty; and managing the athletic department. The Maine public probably would like to add one more: Never to hear the phrase “NCAA investigation” connected with the university again. This is a nearly impossible task these days, but it appears the new athletic director has the credentials to make this happen.

We welcome her and wish her the best of luck.