Kowalczyk meets with local media
04/12/2006 | 12:00:00 | General
April 12, 2006
CARBONDALE, Ill. - One day after being named the new athletics director at Colorado State, Paul Kowalczyk was back at work in Carbondale, where he will continue to serve until May 5.
Kowalczyk met with local media Wednesday afternoon, and a partial transcript is available below.
"It's been an amazing run, very fulfilling personally and professionally. Peg and I have enjoyed our stay here. The worst part about leaving here is certainly all the people within the department and the Saluki fans. What we've built, I think is pretty special, and I certainly want to see that continue. I don't want this to be the Golden ages of Saluki Athletics, I want this to be the beginning. We have laid groundwork, but the future is very bright here."
"Where we came from to where we are now, we've accomplished an aweful lot. On a whole, I would say I'm very satisfied with what has been accomplished."
"I think the biggest challenge was changing the culture, because it was very negative when I walked in, and nobody felt Saluki Athletics would get back up on its legs and be successful. And sort of walking through staff- wise was difficult to a great degree, so making that transition has been very satisfying."
"It's been nice to hear all the positive comments. I will tell you, without question, that throughout my tenure, people have been very positive in their statements to me and to Peg. That's probably what made it good as it was happening because there was positive reinforcement that what we were doing was good."
"It is just another professional opportunity. Bigger program, greater stage to some extent. Again just opportunity, professional growth."
"I think the table is set and the foundation is here. They need someone to continue to work the relationships and really make this place grow and continue the upward trend. They need someone who has good organizational skills, because the challenges are not going to change. It's got to be someone that understands what it takes to run a successful program."
"I would tell them it's an excellent opportunity. It's a good staff with excellent coaches and good administration. This place is really in a position to excel. I think that raising money for Saluki Way, specifically the athletics, will be a challenge, but there is enough of a good feeling out there that someone can make it happen. I think people are poised to do what they need to do to make this thing work."
"It's a dynamic environment all the way around. The institution is really in great shape. The department is in good shape. We have our challenges, but again it's another opportunity to grow."
"It's been very fulfilling, and I look forward to the challenges out there as well."
"The next step will be when ground is broken out there, and it's not just talk anymore. Each phase will provide another boost for the institution."
"I am not running away from anything, I am walking into an excellent opportunity. I respect Chancellor Wendler and the job he has done. Those guys understand the importance of athletics in the university setting, but they also understand what we have done and how far we have come. It's bittersweet to leave."
