May 19, 2006
Statement from Joe Dean, Director of Athletics at Birmingham-Southern College
(Joe Dean is currently attending the annual meeting of the Big South Conference in South Carolina.)
"As I'm sure you know by now, the Birmingham-Southern Board of Trustees currently is reviewing the intercollegiate athletics program at the college after seven years of the program's membership in NCAA Division I.
"The college made a conscious and correct decision when the news of this review became public to try to limit the amount of information that became available so that the review of the athletics program could remain a discussion among our Trustees and not a discussion in the media. Therefore, the college's Office of Communications was designated as the source for information on this important matter. Because this situation is indeed now a discussion in the media and has created a firestorm of emotions, I wanted to make my feelings on the matter known.
"For the past seven years it has been my privilege to serve as athletics director at Birmingham-Southern College, a place where I have spent 13 years of my life and the place where I expect to remain.
"With the support of the Board of Trustees, presidents Neal Berte and David Pollick and their staffs, the Athletics Department has developed one of the country's most admired and successful NCAA Division I programs. My hope is that athletics at BSC can remain at that level.
"However, I have told Dr. Pollick and the Board that no matter what decision is made by the Trustees relating to athletics, I am committed to BSC, its coaches, its students, its faculty, and, just as importantly, its mission. I will continue working to maintain the tradition of having an athletics program that brings honor and distinction to the college.
"The Board has sought my recommendations and thoughts through a request to the Board's Athletic Affairs Committee and its report will be given to all Trustees before any decisions are made.
"Our coaches, athletics staff, and I have every confidence that the Board's decision will be made in the best interests of the college. We will respect and implement any action taken by the Trustees."