New AD says UConn not defined by academic issue

STORRS, Conn. — The University of Connecticut's new athletic director says the academic problems with the men's basketball team do not define UConn.

Warde Manuel, who had served as the University at Buffalo's athletic director since 2005, officially starts his new job March 19.

Manuel, who was introduced at a news conference Monday, said he intends to stay at Connecticut for a long time, and academics will be a top priority. But, he said there needs to be some perspective when discussing the Academic Progress Rate that disqualifies the basketball team from the 2013 NCAA championship tournament.

"UConn is home to 22 different sports played by hundreds of student athletes, consistently wins Big East and conference championships and consistently competes and wins national championships," he said. "A low APR from two years doesn't define a program, an athletic department or a university. It's a hurdle, not a mountain."

University President Susan Herbst said Manuel's role in leading Buffalo back from similar academic issues was a key component in choosing the 43-year-old former Michigan football player to lead UConn athletics.

Buffalo was able to bring into compliance four teams that were failing to meet NCAA academic standard when he arrived in that school.

"He's a rock star," Herbst said. "He's a former student athlete. He's been at terrific top universities: Georgia Tech, Michigan, Buffalo. He's funny. He's interesting. He's got all the characteristics we're looking for."

Manuel had been athletic director at Buffalo since July 2005 where he helped build an identity for a school that transitioned a few years before into Division I and the Mid-American Conference.

Manuel also revamped the school's football schedule, bringing in big paydays by scheduling games against elite programs and getting appearance fees which have paved the way for athletic department improvements and higher salaries for coaches there.

Herbst said UConn was looking for someone who could make changes at UConn. She said UConn's search committee talked extensively to Manuel about how he might eventually replace a Hall of Fame coach such as Jim Calhoun. Calhoun, who turns 70 in May, is currently out on an indefinite medical leave with a back issue.

Manuel, who played for Bo Schembechler at Michigan, said he enjoys dealing with powerful personalities and very successful people and would be a fool not to get Calhoun's input on a replacement when that time comes.