Dave Benedict is worthy of our praise. He has presided over the most ambitious improvement of our baseball, softball, soccer and (to be) hockey facilities, during a very challenging financial environment. He made, in my opinion, a wise decision to relegate football to independent status, which may well prove financially prudent, should we ever start winning. That decision opened the door to the most visible, and long-term viable move, for the rest of our sports to the Big East. With the exception of baseball, which played in the nationally rigorous AAC, the Big East is not only a major step-up in competition, it is a significant enhancement to the financial bottom line, especially in basketball.
Athletic Directors are charged with much more than cultivating winning teams. The bottom line is crucial to the ongoing success of the athletic department AND the university. Should he leave for greener pastures, he will get my "bon voyage".
Thank you for everything you have accomplished so far, Dave. Please stay.