"I'm very bullish on the athletic program. We have excellent people in place, not only in football and basketball, the major revenue sports but in all 21 other sports, 11 women and 10 men."

Skousen can take a stroll down Legacy Hall in the Student Athlete Building and look to the south were one of the country's finest indoor practice facilities stands. If a little pride trickles in, he can be forgiven. He had a hand in the doing and sometimes it took a stick as well as a shovel.

Skousen has often been criticized publicly and privately for myriad decisions, actions and ways and means. But nobody has ever criticized him for not trying or being lazy or asleep at the wheel.

Doers do. Complainers complain.

"You do what you've been asked to do," said Skousen of his tenure as professor, vice president and yes, even athletic director. He once even sat on the resident staff of the Securities and Exchange Commission.

"I've never been one to look back on decisions that I've made. Sometimes you get hammered, but you stick the course. I'm looking forward to spending time with my family, the 24 grandkids and my wife. I have the greatest family in the world. They've been my support system. When times get rough, you have to rely on other people, and I've had the best backers in my wife and kids."

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E-mail: dharmon@desnews.com