New Mizzou AD could repair alumni relationship

As Jim Sterk takes over as athletic director for Mizzou, one person he’ll likely be keeping in touch with is Alumni Association Executive Director Todd McCubbin.

McCubbin essentially called athletics the “front porch” to a university. Winning programs bring national attention, likely bringing in larger alumni donations, building a better overall university.

Sterk is taking over the Mizzou AD position after Mack Rhoades left after less than a year and a half for Baylor University. Part of Roades’ tenure included protests on campus that spurred national attention and a fraction of the football team threatening to sit out because of perceived issues in campus administration.

Sterk does not have previous Missouri ties but insists he and his family are in it for the long haul.

“The University of Missouri is a destination for me and my family,” Sterk said.

Part of his job as AD will include attempting to mend fractured relationships with alumni. McCubbin said he thinks alumni were concerned with what was going on on campus last fall.

“They were a little worried about what they saw happening on their television screens or newspapers.”

Attendance for Mizzou football’s last home game of the season was one of the lowest for a conference game since joining the SEC. The game against Tennessee was also Coach Gary Pinkel’s last game leading the team. The Tigers lost the game with a score of 8-19.

“I think our record last year had a little bit to do with some of those folks who didn’t come. Or at least that’s my interpretation of it,” McCubbin said.

At Thursday’s press conference, Sterk seemed ready for the challenge.

“It is a new year, its a new day, and I have a fresh start.”

“I think it is really going to help us get back into a fall, a regular rhythm. You get started again with a football season, new students on campus,” McCubbin added.