It was fitting that Lee Reed was introduced in the ornate and scholarly Riggs Library because he said a number of times that he wants his student-athletes to have academic success. “If one student-athlete does not graduate,” Reed said, “that’s one too many.”
You can view the full press conference here.
After academic success, what are Reed’s goals? Well he didn’t tab anything in particular, rather saying he hopes to “move the university and the athletic program forward. It remains to be seen in what areas that will be.”
Reed spoke about an all-around approach he applied as athletic director at Cleveland State:
“I have a saying that I use quite often, and I think it defines what athletics is about in many ways. Great athletic programs are coach-driven, student-athlete-centered and administration assisted. What that says to me is that every single day at Georgetown University for our 750 student-athletes we will make long-term decisions that are in their best interest — from an academic standpoint, from a social standpoint and certainly from a competitive standpoint.”
Reed will be tasked with figuring out Georgetown’s facilities situation, as a number of teams play games and practice off-campus. The field hockey team cannot play on Kehoe Field, the Multi-Sport Facility (both lacrosses and football) is not complete, and the potential basketball practice facility has not gotten off the ground. Should the practice facility be built outside of McDonough on the tennis courts, men’s and women’s tennis would lose their home.
Here’s Reed’s answer regarding the practice facility:
Obviously a facility that will enhance practice opportunities for our student-athletes is something that is of importance. I need to get here and understand all that has gone on until this point to see where the plan is. I’ve heard about it. I’m excited about it, but there are so many other things that the university has that have put our coaches and student-athletes in a great place. That will be another piece, and that will be a critical piece. I’ll work with our senior management team and the fundraisers in our athletics program and advancement to move forward on raising the money that is necessary to build that facility. So yes, it is critical to us. I’m part of the team. I’m here to join the team and do what I can to bring the resources to our student-athletes and our coaches, as it relates to facilities and other areas.
Another problem for Reed will be resurrecting the football program. The Hoyas were winless in 2009 and have a 5-38 record over the past four years under Head Coach Kevin Kelly. Cleveland State, Reed’s home for the last eight years, did not have a football program.
When I was associate athletics director at Eastern Michigan University, which is a I-A school as you know, obviously I spent seven to eight years there working with the football program. That has been the primary experience that I have had with football. I’m aware of where the [Georgetown] football program is. I can’t wait to sit down with the coaching staff to kind of see where they are. I know it’s important to this community, so we’ll work with our coaching staff and we’ll work with the staff in place now to see what’s going on with the program.
The one thing you have to understand about intercollegiate athletics is it’s more art than science. Understanding what’s necessary and what’s needed to make a program successful is truly an art. It’s not something that you say we need two more things or three more things. It’s making our coaches feel comfortable. Making sure they have enough, that they know they have enough, to be successful. I’m excited for the opportunity to work with our current staff to see how I can help improve Georgetown football.