http://chronicle.augusta.com/news/educat...t-lead-gru

https://greport.gru.edu/archives/17102

Hate to see this. After our previous president's indifference to athletics caused a decade of stagnation in athletics, I really learned to appreciate this guy and I hate to see him leave.

You can't underestimate the importance of having a president who is supportive of athletics in advancing athletics. The AD is important but he's just a yes man if the president doesn't care.

ugh! this sucks so much. Hopefully the next guy is as big of an athletics supporter as Keel.

This was a real punch to the gut.

That's a shame for y'all; it seemed like he was doing some great stuff. Interesting that he was a final candidate at State, then ended up at Southern, and now is heading off to GRU. Wonder if they'll get a little nervous if the UGA or GT jobs open up. I guess it's kinda like trying to keep a good head coach at our schools.

Good luck in finding a replacement.

Guess we can bet that GRU is moving on up to the Atlantic Sun now.

(06-30-2015 10:30 AM)EigenEagle Wrote:  You can't underestimate the importance of having a president who is supportive of athletics in advancing athletics.

Trust me, we know. Something like 35 years of indifference.

you cant overstate the importance of a president/chancellor that actively supports the athletic dept. App from the early 80s to 2000 had chancellors whose attitudes toward the athletic dept ranged from indifference to outward contempt. It wasn't until Peacock took over, a man who fully supported athletics, that we started to grow the brand. I feel for you guys, right now there is alot going on with GS athletics, that really needs the support of a strong president. Hopefully, whoever they hire will realize the importance of athletics and keep things moving forward for you guys.

(06-30-2015 10:44 AM)Pounce FTW Wrote:  That's a shame for y'all; it seemed like he was doing some great stuff. Interesting that he was a final candidate at State, then ended up at Southern, and now is heading off to GRU. Wonder if they'll get a little nervous if the UGA or GT jobs open up. I guess it's kinda like trying to keep a good head coach at our schools.

Good luck in finding a replacement.

word on the street is he will be the highest paid public school president in the state.

This sucks a lot. Comparatively speaking, we do not have many champions throughout the state and Keel made the biggest difference since I was in school. Hopefully our next president has an equally ambitious vision.

(06-30-2015 11:02 AM)NCeagle Wrote:  word on the street is he will be the highest paid public school president in the state.

Wow. Guess this makes sense with size of GRU now and their having the Medical College of Georgia. Maybe they figure he can "grow the brand" now.

(06-30-2015 11:28 AM)Pounce FTW Wrote:  

(06-30-2015 11:02 AM)NCeagle Wrote:  word on the street is he will be the highest paid public school president in the state.

Wow. Guess this makes sense with size of GRU now and their having the Medical College of Georgia. Maybe they figure he can "grow the brand" now.

who knows. he was also an alumni of both schools.

This is such a heartbreaker for us. It's going to be so hard to find another person that can match his enthusiasm for athletics, academics, and all things Southern. Anybody know the process for picking a new president? Who gets to choose? I think Alumni and students should have at least a small amount of the choice.

(06-30-2015 12:08 PM)TrueBlueDrew Wrote:  This is such a heartbreaker for us. It's going to be so hard to find another person that can match his enthusiasm for athletics, academics, and all things Southern. Anybody know the process for picking a new president? Who gets to choose? I think Alumni and students should have at least a small amount of the choice.

I'm pretty sure it depends on the state and the school. Our President is appointed by our Board of Trustees, which is appointed by the Governor.

How about this guy?

Dr. Dale Lick

...yes, but...

Having only been associated directly w/the university for the past 4 years and seeing the growth and exposure that has come down the path, I can only imagine how bad it was under the previous admin. That said, think of what a great opportunity that Keel is leaving the door open to. Georgia Southern is definitely on the rise, with tons of upside. Academics have never been stronger, athletics is soaring, and there's a lot happening in both local and regional areas that it can continue to support and drive towards positive outcomes. I definitely hate to see Dr. Keel moving on, but I believe we can attract a helluva group of candidates and continue the journey.

Next addition to the SBC, the GRU Minnions!!!!

(06-30-2015 12:43 PM)alpha_eagle Wrote:  ...yes, but...

Having only been associated directly w/the university for the past 4 years and seeing the growth and exposure that has come down the path, I can only imagine how bad it was under the previous admin. That said, think of what a great opportunity that Keel is leaving the door open to. Georgia Southern is definitely on the rise, with tons of upside. Academics have never been stronger, athletics is soaring, and there's a lot happening in both local and regional areas that it can continue to support and drive towards positive outcomes. I definitely hate to see Dr. Keel moving on, but I believe we can attract a helluva group of candidates and continue the journey.

Dr. Grube did many great things for the school but was not concerned with athletics and did not have an AD that would challenge him. He was a definite improvement over TBD, who was President when I was in school.

(06-30-2015 12:43 PM)alpha_eagle Wrote:  ...yes, but...

Having only been associated directly w/the university for the past 4 years and seeing the growth and exposure that has come down the path, I can only imagine how bad it was under the previous admin. That said, think of what a great opportunity that Keel is leaving the door open to. Georgia Southern is definitely on the rise, with tons of upside. Academics have never been stronger, athletics is soaring, and there's a lot happening in both local and regional areas that it can continue to support and drive towards positive outcomes. I definitely hate to see Dr. Keel moving on, but I believe we can attract a helluva group of candidates and continue the journey.

Good post. Left the situation MUCH better than when he found it. It really should attract a nice pool of candidates.

Yep. Pres. Keel was the ideal president for moving up GS to FBS and the Sun Belt. Now that we are here we definitely need another energetic, athletic-supporting president who can move us forward. The whole tone of the athletic department is set first by the president. Without a supportive president it is really hard to make advances in football or in any athletics for that matter.

(06-30-2015 12:44 PM)Usajags Wrote:  Next addition to the SBC, the GRU Minnions!!!!

No, the GRU Fighting Cadavers!