2008 Woodie Awards
Q&A with interim AD Friend
By: Jeremy Homan
Issue date: 1/22/07 Section: Sports
- Page 1 of 1
After five years of retirement, John Friend has returned to PUC to work temporarily as the athletic director after Rob Jenson resigned from the position over winter break. Friend recently answered some questions about the job at hand.
The Chronicle: First, could you tell us a little bit about yourself?
Friend: Well, I grew up in Cedar Lake and I went to Crown Point High School. After that I went on to college and even played basketball. I received my Masters degree from Southern Illinois University in Carbondale.
The Chronicle: What experience do you have in athletics?
Friend: Like I said, I played basketball while I was in college. I injured myself so after college I got more into coaching. I coached at various high schools in the area, Hammond High and Munster, before I came to PUC in 1980.
The Chronicle: What did you do during your first tenure as athletic director at PUC?
Friend: When I came here in 1980, we actually started up the men's basketball program. At the time there was only women's volleyball. The whole men's program got started and we recruited, and got the team off to their first season.
The Chronicle: We spoke with Rob Jensen before this season and he informed us that our athletics department was significantly disadvantaged, in terms of funding, when compared to our peers in the CCAC. He said this was largely why PUC would be dropping to NAIA Division II. How much of an effect did the budget have on the department's ability to monitor its student-athletes in the classroom?
Friend: Well, I don't know if I can really answer that. If there was a monitor, the problem probably could have been fixed. However, I know that any student-athlete can get help from a professor or tutor if they need it.
The Chronicle: Calumet College of St. Joseph employs a "Coordinator for Compliance and Academic Achievement" within their athletic department. Why does PUC not have a similar post?
Friend: Calumet College has a different idea of how they go about with their athletic program. They have a lot more athletes and we really don't need to build our student body through athletics.
The Chronicle: What will happen to the funds remaining in the budget for men's basketball?
Friend: I'd imagine there are plans to use some of the money to hire a new coach and maybe use it on recruiting.
The Chronicle: What do you think the future holds for the men's basketball team?
Friend: I think the future is good. Once we get around this, things will be better. I think it will come through if the university values the program. Better days will come and we'll be in business.
The Chronicle: First, could you tell us a little bit about yourself?
Friend: Well, I grew up in Cedar Lake and I went to Crown Point High School. After that I went on to college and even played basketball. I received my Masters degree from Southern Illinois University in Carbondale.
The Chronicle: What experience do you have in athletics?
Friend: Like I said, I played basketball while I was in college. I injured myself so after college I got more into coaching. I coached at various high schools in the area, Hammond High and Munster, before I came to PUC in 1980.
The Chronicle: What did you do during your first tenure as athletic director at PUC?
Friend: When I came here in 1980, we actually started up the men's basketball program. At the time there was only women's volleyball. The whole men's program got started and we recruited, and got the team off to their first season.
The Chronicle: We spoke with Rob Jensen before this season and he informed us that our athletics department was significantly disadvantaged, in terms of funding, when compared to our peers in the CCAC. He said this was largely why PUC would be dropping to NAIA Division II. How much of an effect did the budget have on the department's ability to monitor its student-athletes in the classroom?
Friend: Well, I don't know if I can really answer that. If there was a monitor, the problem probably could have been fixed. However, I know that any student-athlete can get help from a professor or tutor if they need it.
The Chronicle: Calumet College of St. Joseph employs a "Coordinator for Compliance and Academic Achievement" within their athletic department. Why does PUC not have a similar post?
Friend: Calumet College has a different idea of how they go about with their athletic program. They have a lot more athletes and we really don't need to build our student body through athletics.
The Chronicle: What will happen to the funds remaining in the budget for men's basketball?
Friend: I'd imagine there are plans to use some of the money to hire a new coach and maybe use it on recruiting.
The Chronicle: What do you think the future holds for the men's basketball team?
Friend: I think the future is good. Once we get around this, things will be better. I think it will come through if the university values the program. Better days will come and we'll be in business.
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