Ron Guenther
Ronald E. Guenther (born October 3, 1945) is the former Director of Athletics for the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. He is best known for the hiring of Fighting Illini athletics coaches, the development of the men's tennis team into a national power (including an NCAA title in 2003), and the development of many athletics facilities. He retired on July 1, 2011.[1]
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[edit] Background
Guenther is a graduate of the University of Illinois, having earned a Bachelor of Science in physical education in 1967 and an M.S. in administration in 1968. Guenther also played football at Illinois, lettering in 1965 and 1966 as an offensive lineman as well as being named second-team All-Big Ten and the team MVP in 1966. While at Illinois, Guenther was a member of the Kappa Sigma Fraternity.
University of Illinois Chancellor Richard Herman was quoted in July, 2006 as saying: "If he's not the best AD in the country, I want to know who is." and "He does a wonderful job of bringing in great coaches and building a team that understands what athletics is and needs to be about."[2]
[edit] Coaches hired
[edit] Football
- Ron Turner, 1997–2004
- Ron Zook, 2005–2011
[edit] Men's basketball
- Lon Kruger, 1996–2000
- Bill Self, 2000–2003
- Bruce Weber, 2004–2012
[edit] Women's basketball
- Theresa Grentz, 1995–2006
- Jolette Law, 2007–2012
[edit] Women's volleyball
- Don Hardin, 1996–2009
- Kevin Hambly, 2009–current
[edit] Men's tennis
- Brad Dancer, 2006–current
[edit] Women's tennis
- Michelle Dasso, 2006–current
[edit] Men's Track and Field
- Wayne Angel, 2003–current
[edit] Wrestling
- Jim Heffernan, 2009–current
[edit] Facility Construction
- Atkins Tennis Center
- Reconstruction of Memorial Stadium.
- Pending decision to renovate Assembly Hall or build a new basketball arena, expected in early 2009.
[edit] Criticism
Mr. Guenther came under fire for an outburst during the 2007 NCAA Tournament, calling an Illini player an "idiot".[3]
Guenther has also been widely criticized by Illinois fans for the poor performance of the Illinois football team during his tenure.[4][5][6]
[edit] References
- ^ "Fighting Illini Icon Ron Guenther Retires After 19 Years as Athletics Director". FightingIllini.com. May 16, 2011. http://www.fightingillini.com/genrel/051611aab.html. Retrieved Nov. 27, 2011.
- ^ "BOT wants Guenther long-term". Daily Illini. July 12, 2006. http://www.dailyillini.com/home/index.cfm?event=displayArticlePrinterFriendly&uStory_id=fd3d5432-e3de-4c39-91c2-cd3f37115c93. Retrieved May 23, 2007.
- ^ "Illinois AD yelled at coach, called player ‘idiot’". March 21, 2007. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/17726760/wid/7279844/. Retrieved May 24, 2007.
- ^ "Tate: I stand by my letter". IlliniHQ. Nov. 9, 2009. http://illinihq.com/news/football/2009/11/09/tate_i_stand_by_my_letter. Retrieved Dec 26, 2009.
- ^ "Illini's Zook on Hot Seat". Chicago Sun-Times. Dec. 11, 2009. http://www.suntimes.com/sports/colleges/1933338,CST-SPT-ill11.article. Retrieved Dec 26, 2009.[dead link]
- ^ "Illini Boosters: Zook Must Go". Peoria Journal-Star. Dec. 11, 2009. http://www.pjstar.com/sports/illini/x1903561066/Illini-boosters-Zook-must-go. Retrieved Dec 26, 2009.
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