Written Leland Report Released

The written Leland Report has been released to the press. Last fall Ted Leland the former Athletic Director at Stanford was asked by University Of Oregon President Dave Frohnmayer to conduct an investigation of the University of Oregon Athletic Department and report back to him. Even though the University contract called for a written report no written report was issued when Leland gave an oral report of the results of his investigation to AD Bill Moos and Dave Frohnmayer. Shortly thereafter the University bought out the balance of the Moos contract and Bill Moos was given an almost 2 million dollar golden parachute. Following questioning by the Eugene Register Guard newspaper Dave Frohnmayer agreed to go back to Leland and ask for a written report. This is the result of that request. Click on the title above for a link to a news story in the Oregon student newspaper The Emerald on the written Leland Report. That story has a link to a PDF file that has the complete 4 page letter report. Some interesting quotes from the report:

II Strength of the Department of Intercollegiate Athletics

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Good People: The Department of Intercollegiate Athletic staff is very professional, has extraordinary work habits and is committed to completing its tasks. In addition, the department has a very strong family atmosphere that has helped to maintain exceptional staff stability over time.....

Athletic Facilities:Significant new construction and extensive renovations have been undertaken throughout the Athletic Department Physical Plant. This construction program has resulted in highly functional state of the art facilities....

Football:...It is important that I make special mention of the role Mike Bellotti plays within the department. He not only wins and generates public interest and financial return thru his success but he is a "real citizen of Oregon Athletics."

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III Challenges of the Department of Intercollegiate Athletics

Competition Arena: The lingeringly uncertainty regarding the future of McArthur Court is a significant problem. Regardless of the course of action chosen, it is imperative that the university move forward quickly with its planning for a new/renovated facility. The previous "false starts" regarding the future of the arena undermines confidence in the department's ability to move forward in this much needed challenge.

Budget Issues: The department faces significant financial challenges in large part because it is probably "maxed out" in its major revenue streams(football ticket, Duck fundraising, Pac 10 income, apparel, sponsorship). If these established income categories increase only marginally over the next few years, the department needs new revenue sources. at the same time, there are some significant one time only expenses anticipated coming due in the next few years...... the department needs new revenue sources.....Business as usual will not solve the challenges facing the department.

Senior Management Team: It is important that the department move to rebuild its Senior Management Team. this has been strength of the department over the past few years---yet the "team" needs to be rebuilt and re energized at this time....

Significant Donors: the department has lost credibility with some of its significant donors. Across the board,steps must be taken to reestablish these relationships that have meant so much to the great progress the department has made in the past 15 years......