[NU Sports] Rick Taylor (fwd)

[Mike Nolan]

> This quote captured what was wrong with Rick Taylor - he was overly defensive 
> and had nothing but disdain for Northwestern fans and alumni. Given this 
> disdain for "second-guessing" alumni like us, I'm not so sure the interests of 
> Northwestern did not take a back seat to the interests of Rick Taylor. 

Bob, if you want to be truly reviled in life, become an AD.  Here in 
Nebraska the AD recently finished at the top of the list of most hated
individuals in the state.  

Was Rick Taylor perfect?  No.  Did he have a tough job in which he made
a lot of tough calls?  Yep.  Some worked out OK, others didn't.  I don't
think Barnett could have been kept happy under any circumstances, but it
would have taken a LOT of guts to have sent him packing before he finally
left voluntarily, far more than any AD would have had.  

I also think that the renaming of the football stadium has put a sports 
curse upon the Cats that may rival Wrigley Field's goat or possibly even 
the Curse of the Bambino.  

However, in the long run, I'm glad Taylor was at NU, and I'm equally glad 
he retired.  A good AD will wear out his welcome, and that's what
I think happened with Rick Taylor.  An ineffective AD doesn't wear out
his welcome as fast, but he doesn't get much accomplished either.
--
Mike Nolan