Monday, May. 11, 2009

Athletic directors to induct UW's retired Hedges

By Eric Degerman, sportstricities.com

Last week, the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics announced that Barbara Hedges — who retired from the University of Washington in 2004 amid several controversies — will be inducted into the NACDA Hall of Fame.

Say what you will about Hedges regarding the football sanctions that led to the abrupt resignation of Don James in 1993, the stunning firing of James' replacement Jim Lambright in 1998, the firestorm and subsequent dismissal of Rick Neuheisel, ethics issues surrounding Neuheisel's replacement Keith Gilbertson, and Dr. William J. Scheyer, the infamous "Doctor Feelgood" whose actions led to the removal of softball coach Teresa Wilson.

Each tarnished Hedges' legacy at Montlake, and the school’s once-great football program has yet to recover.

However, she could bring in the bucks — $100 million for UW athletic facilities during her career. She's credited with the renovation of Hec Edmundson Pavilion as well as the creation of the $29 million Dempsey Indoor practice facility and the $18 million Conibear Shellhouse for crew and academics.

She is viewed as a trailblazer for female athletic directors and became the NACDA's first female president. Her nearly 13-year reign at UW ended Jan. 16, 2004, at the age of 66. Hedges started out as a high school P.E. teacher in Colorado and later coached gymnastics at the University of Arizona for five years before becoming associate athletic director of the University of Southern California's nine women's sports.

Too bad Hedges didn't get problematic Husky Stadium reconstructed before her departure. Estimated cost is about $450 million, and here's a link to the proposed design by Populus, formerly known as HOK. The first thing that pops out is the removal of the track lanes that leave the football fans farther away than is now tradition.

On a somewhat related note, I see where Washington ranks 10th in the Sports Director's 2008-09 Cup standings with 551 points.

Stanford seems to be running away with the title at 1,025 points.

Washington State is 187th with 44 points.