Syracuse Athletics Director Jake Crouthamel
Syracuse Athletics Director Jake Crouthamel
“For a small town boy from Perkasie, Pa., this is rather overwhelming and, I must say, embarrassing. I can not wait until we get to this roast (referring to Chancellor Cantor’s opening remarks), because there will be a lot of material out there, collected over 26 years.
“In my early years as a football coach, I really aspired to be an athletics director at a program like this. Syracuse University gave me that opportunity. I am sure the University did not anticipate that I would be here for 26 years. I think there are two primary reasons why this has been protracted for such a period of time – opportunities and people.
“We have had continued opportunities to challenge us and opportunities for us to take advantage of. I think we were able to do that and we are not through yet, on my watch. And people, we have been blessed over these many years with an exceptional staff. We have had highly professional and talented people. I have said this before and I will say it many times again, I have hung on to their coat tails and they have dragged me on to success – our success.
“There have been three chancellors, all of whom greatly support and understand the value of an intercollegiate athletics program to the university’s structure.
“The student-athletes, the reason we exist, have represented the University, and continue to represent the University, with dignity. They exemplify the true meaning of the words student-athlete. We are very proud of them.
“I have spent the last 40 plus years on a college campus and it is going to be difficult to leave that environment, it is all I know. I will continue to go to football games on Saturdays and basketball games, near Cape Cod. That is what I do – it is my life. That will continue somehow and someway.
“I will leave the University with very mixed emotions. I am proud of we have been able to accomplish, but with the understanding that we could have done more. As I have said before, we are not finished yet.”
On how he wants to be remembered at Syracuse:
“The national championships and playoffs that we have been involved with are, obviously, tremendous highlights. Those are the things that come first to mind, but I think that I have given it my best and I have sought counsel in reaching conclusions. That I was fair in those conclusions.”
On making the decision now:
“The chancellor indicated that the search is going to be expeditious, but very deliberative and until the new person is named, it is my watch. I am going to make the decisions and as the chancellor indicated I am going to make recommendations to her as long as it is my watch. It had to happen sometime and this is as good a time as any.”
On if there will be any difficulty finding a replacement:
“No, I don’t think so. We are too closeted in the central New York area to really understand the national reputation of Syracuse University and Syracuse University Athletics. We remain a storied program nationally. As I indicated before, there are a lot of opportunities or challenges that remain here. The opportunity for success is here and that is understood nationally. Syracuse University will not have any difficulty at all identifying and hiring a top quality person.”
On the advice he would give to the next person:
“I don’t know, every personality is different and that is what will dictate the approach both internally and externally.”
On if the new athletics director would have any input on decisions about football:
“I would hope that my replacement would have input to the program in general, not just specific to one sport. I expect that once that person is identified and hired, I will serve in an advisory capacity, to that person who is making the decisions and it is no longer my watch.”
On where the Athletics Director position ranks nationally:
“I think very high. Syracuse University and the athletic program have a great deal of respect nationally. The University will not have problems attracting highly qualified candidates.”
On if he will have any role in hiring his replacement:
“I have not talked to Chancellor about this, but I would assume the candidates may want to talk to me about the athletics program. If I was interviewing up here, I would want to talk to me. That is what I perceive my role to be.”
