Former Director of Athletics Daryl Gross does not deserve his newly appointed position as vice president and special assistant to the chancellor.

In an email circulated Wednesday, Chancellor Kent Syverud detailed the university’s next steps following the NCAA sanctions. Those steps include appealing the vacation of wins and reduction of scholarships from the men’s basketball team, Jim Boeheim’s impending retirement and Gross’ new role in the university.

As of Wednesday, Gross will no longer serve as director of athletics at SU; he has been reduced to an adjunct professor at the David B. Falk College of Sport and Human Dynamics and ironically awarded an honorary title. Until a replacement is found, Pete Sala, the senior associate director of athletics for facilities and managing director of the Carrier Dome, will serve as interim director of athletics.

It was necessary for the university to remove Gross from his role as director of athletics due to his involvement in the NCAA violations. The prolonged and numerous academic integrity violations that occurred under his watch are inexcusable and warrant his removal from a position of power.

But giving Gross this honorary title as vice president and special assistant to the chancellor condones Gross’ serious violations. It would have sent a stronger message — and been an appropriate response — for the university to have Gross remain as an adjunct professor, and only that.

Previous to Gross, Syverud appointed University College Dean Bea González and former senior vice president and dean of student affairs Barry Wells as special assistants in January. These individuals were selected for their accomplishments and worthwhile additions to campus.

But Gross is being handed this position so the university can save face.

Letting Gross remain in a position of power can be seen as the university attempting to control the NCAA story and present an image of composure, and a desperate attempt to mitigate the damage that has already been done.

Replacing Gross as the director of athletics will help the department move forward. But transplanting him to a position where he has the ear of the most powerful man at the university is a step backward.

Gross needs to face the consequences for his actions. In no way should that include his appointment as vice president and special assistant to the chancellor.

Published on March 19, 2015 at 12:06 am