Interesting piece from ESPN's "Outside the Lines" series profiling the unusual hiring of Oregon Athletic Director Pat Kilkenny. Kilkenny was a well-heeled Oregon booster with ties to former Nike founder Phil Knight.OTL: "The next time you consider hiring or firing a coach will you call Phil Knight first? To see what he thinks?This kind of stuff makes the NCAA incredibly squeamish, but Kilkenny comes across as honest about the murkier aspects of his ascent and relationship with Knight.
PK: Yeah, I'd probably would talk to him about it, I would talk to some other donors too.
Previously at FanHouse
Oregon's Filthy Rich AD Draws Preschool Teacher's Salary
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Reader Comments ( Page 1 of 1)
1. this can be a slippery slope but honestly, knight uses his money and influence for what he feels is the best for the u of o. everyone talks about the track coach martin smith but since that firing, the historic track program is back and it got hayward field two olympic trials, the outdoor ncca championships, and a coach that won the 2007 cross country national championship. us ducks love uncle phil and can understand the skepticism met by some faculty members and ncaa officials but his money has been well and meaningfully spent on academics (our library and law school) and athletics (the expansion of autzen and the new arena) alike.
Posted at 9:43PM on Apr 7th 2008 by Michael
2. No kidding. You mean to tell me that big universities in major conferences check the opinions of their largest boosters before making changes? SHOCKING!
Posted at 1:07AM on Apr 8th 2008 by blp825
3. Yea... no story here. We do what every other school does, we're just a bit more above board about it all. Alot of the bitchin and moanin come from fans of other schools, and it's really just hatin more than anything else.
Also, It's funny that they dont mention that Phil Knight paid for a new library as well.
Posted at 12:09PM on Apr 9th 2008 by Rob Hartsock
4. I am shocked...SHOCKED...that anyone would suggest Phil Knight's money might be used to gain the University of Oregon an unfair advantage in an athletic endeavor.
Posted at 12:41AM on Apr 10th 2008 by Gordon Riese