Colorado State University Athletics
Statement from Director of Athletics Paul Kowalczyk
11/26/2007 12:00:00 AM | Football
Nov. 26, 2007
FORT COLLINS, Colo. - Colorado State University Athletic Director Paul Kowalczyk said Monday that any discussions about retirement with Head Football Coach Sonny Lubick have focused on the expectation that Lubick would continue to play a senior leadership role in the Rams sports program.
"CSU President Larry Penley has made it very clear that Sonny Lubick will always have a place at Colorado State University," Kowalczyk said. "Sonny's reputation, record and service to CSU have clearly earned that. Any discussions we're having at this point are focused on his plans and what he'd like to do in the next phase of a very distinguished career.
"Sonny Lubick epitomizes what intercollegiate athletics should be about. He is a man of integrity, honesty, character and loyalty. He has established a legacy at Colorado State that will be among the most successful turnarounds in the history of any football program. He established a program that created expectations and was successful, and he did it the right way."
Recent news reports have focused on discussions between Lubick and Kowalczyk about the possibility of Lubick's retiring as head coach. Lubick, for whom the field at CSU's Hughes Stadium is named, was hired in 1993. He led the Rams to nine bowl games with 108-74 record and ended his fourth straight non-winning season Friday with a Rams win over Wyoming in the celebrated Border War.
Kowalczyk noted that discussions related to personnel matters are private but he acknowledged discussing a number of issues with Lubick including how best to ease any transition for assistant coaches, health insurance issues for football program staff, and Lubick's future role at CSU.
Kowalczyk said he has offered Lubick a position as senior associate athletic director, focused on fundraising and serving as a goodwill ambassador for Rams athletics. Additionally, Kowalczyk has proposed to Lubick paying his base coaching salary for the remaining two years on his contract. Lubick and his family will also receive health benefits. Assistant coaches would receive compensation for the next three months or until a time they secure another position.
Kowalczyk said Lubick exemplifies what CSU strives for in its athletics program: strong leadership and performance, as well as sportsmanship, ethics, and a focus on student success in the classroom and in competition.
"We celebrate and honor the legacy Sonny has established with fond memories and cherished moments," Kowalczyk said. "He will long be remembered as an individual who put CSU's program on the national map of college football. Most important, he will continue to be revered for who he is as a person, mentor, husband and father."
Kowalczyk said his goal is to continue to build on that legacy.
"As athletic director, I am committed to building a winning program that serves our students and Colorado well, in the Lubick tradition," Kowalczyk said. "The Board of Governors of the CSU System and the CSU student body have supported this goal the last two years with new funding for much-needed facilities and program enhancements. No one knows better than Sonny Lubick how critical it is that we dramatically improve donor and booster support for our team, and he is in a unique position to make that happen. As we move forward, it is my hope that Sonny will continue to play a prominent leadership role at the University, lending his energy and expertise to building a solid future for our football program and our student athletes."
