Comments about ‘Skousen wore hats well at Y.’

Skousen has done some good things at BYU but there continues to be tarnish on any kudos that are given via his handling of the termination of Coach Elaine Michaelis.

There were myriad options that could have been pursued for restructuring the athletic department short of publicly firing Michaelis - she even offered to retire. (If you're interested in just how badly this was handled, look in the D-News archives for Jeff Call's write up from Friday, December 17, 2004.)

One would be hard pressed to find anyone who was more loyal to the university than Coach Michaelis - in my book she is on par with Lavell Edwards for what she contributed to BYU athletics. They should have held banquets, parades and even lighted the "Y" in her honor rather than firing her.

Skousen's mishandling of that situation continues to beg for a public apology to Michaelis. Anything less will be an asterisk on his many accomplishments.

Although clearly an enormously accomplished academician and administrator, Skousen has long been villified on Cougar sports internet forums for everything that has ever gone wrong in athletics. He was praised for not hiring Chow as HC, then maligned for letting him go to NC St. He was ridiculed for Hale's firing, and verbally attacked for hiring Crowton. He was mocked as Pres. Bateman's "lap dog" when the school started enforcing the honor code more strictly among athletes. Then we had a great season under Crowton and it was quiet, until we started losing. Then it was all Skousen's fault. Then he was criticized for the awkward hiring process with Kyle and Bronco. About the only thing BYU fans haven't blamed Skousen for is BYU's tremendous record of athletic success and world-class facilities, all of which he played a significant role in developing.

All in all I think the only truly questionable judgments he showed were twofold: Agreeing to the marketing change of BYU's traditional Y logo and school colors; and agreeing to subject himself to so much ingratitude and ignorant verbal abuse as he got from BYU's rabid fan base. Happy retirement Fred!

So he is one of those guys who charges $100 plus for text books to poor college students that should only be $10-20, then retires to his ranch.

Done some good things but don't have a bean counter in a high profile job or you will get the legacy he's stamped on the program in the years since Lavell.

I think it is starting to turn around now.

I know this is supposed to be some kind of going-away tribute to Skousen, but it's hard to believe that Dick left out perhaps the most controversial event from the Skousen regime--his comment about "putting the Chinese to work" in front of Norm Chow. Quite honestly, it's hard to recognize any good that the man accomplished with this fiasco and the Michaelis firing hanging over his head.

Do you really think Skousen has any say over what an international textbook publisher charges for the books? They own the publishing rights to his former works and can set the price as high as demand will allow. He may earn some royalties from sales, but those were established as a percentage by contract years ago, when the prices were high but not as outrageous as they are now. I agree books are a big expense, but don't blame Skousen for something out of his control. That just shows your lack of familiarity with the publishing industry.

We wish you well Mr. Skousen.

You win some and lose some. No one is perfect but if you know you did your best to serve, nothing else is matter. Those who complains and think they know whats best for the program need to apply for the job and see if you can do better. Enjoy your retirement Fred!!!You did your best and the program benefitted from it.

Elaine Michaelis should not have been fired. She spent her entire career working and promoting BYU and sacrificing for it. She did a fantastic job.She should have hired a lawyer and took it to court.

Sorry, I am not a Skousen fan.There are more negatives than there are pluses. He is retiring to his "beautiful ranch." Obviously he has a ton of money. (BYU pays pretty well?????) Why is it that BYU administrators are so wealthy????Money coming from somewhere.He has done some good things but most of his decisions have shown a lack of compassion, a lack of understanding and a good deal of arrogance. Tom Homoe just thinks he is the AD. He probably has not made an original decision since he has been there. Skousen made them all. Oh well,hopefully they can come up with someone with a little more humanity.

Another thrilling article from the master of nothing.

Just keep in mind that we will all be judged by the way we judge others.

It is hard to take anything serious that comes out of the Y. It is truly a castle build to fairyland.

He should have hired Ron Haun instead of Gary Crowton. That would have saved us four years of misery. Haun's winning percentage at Ricks College was better than LaVell's in Provo.

"I'm optimistic and hopeful we can do that within the MWC framework. If we're not able to accomplish all of our objectives, we may have to pursue other options."

I love BYU's veiled threats of a divorce from the MWC if they don't get their way.

Hey BYU.... Put up or shut up....If you've got a better offer, TAKE IT.

If not, then cool it with the threats.

They should win more national championships.

Glaring Omission is right. Fred Skouson was a diaster in his role and in his trigger-happy firing of Michaelis, a first class role model. He's the one who should have been fired for all the missteps and poor hiring decisions. I never could understand the cult of loyalty that kept someone like him in the position so long. Good ridance.

I sat near Mr. Skousen in a Psych class years ago when he sported a letterman's jacket for his feats on the basketball team; I think this is the same guy. The question I have is: was he involvled in the fiasco around the firing of Roger Reid? That mishandling sets right up there with the ones mentioned above, however, I don't know if he was part of that, or if Mr. Feldman was the sole perpetrator.

I can't imagine the headaches associated with his position, between the heavy handed administration and the teams. However, if one is to endure headaches, why not at BYU? I wish you well, Skousens. Thanks for so much that you had a hand in that was enduring and well done.

The article says Skousen publicly admitted he could have handled the Elaine Michaelis situation better. Please tell us when and where this occured. For me, that is his legacy. Elaine handled it with class and dignity. More than I can say for Skousen and BYU.

The author failed to even mention the way Norm Chow was promised the head coaching job and then BYU backstabbed him and ran him out of town.

Of course we don't want to only focus on the negative but that's a pretty big hole to leave unfilled when doing reporting.

All in all Mr. Skousen's job seems pretty dang tough. He did a great job overall. Thanks.

I've searched the archives. Can't find where Skousen admitted publicly he could have handled Elaine Michaelis'firing better. Please provide this information!