Indiana University announced Athletics Director Fred Glass will retire at the end of the academic year.
Glass, who was hired to the position in 2009, says he informed IU President Michael McRobbie of his retirement plans so enough time can be given to find a successor.
In a press conference today Glass spoke about the tough decision he had to make as athletic director.
“You’ll be criticized no matter what you do, so you might as well do the thing you think is right. Don’t try to placate the mob, don’t try to avoid criticism, do you what you think is right and if it turns out not be right, at least you were trying to do the right thing,” Glass says.
Glass announced his retirement in a letter to fans and IU supporters Monday morning.
While athletic director, Glass oversaw a multi-billion dollar renovation of athletic facilities without the use of tuition fees or taxpayer monies.
"It's an all-in, all-consuming role, and I've loved it, but I'm ready to step back and do something that keeps me closer to home with more time with my granddaughters and the rest of my family,” Glass says in a statement published on Indiana University’s website.
23 teams and 195 individuals have won Big Ten championships since Glass arrived. This season the women’s basketball team achieved its highest ranking in program history, and the football team had its best season in 26 years.
IU’s “Graduation Success Rate” among student athletes stands at 91%, in 2011 it was at 77%.
President McRobbie says he’s assembling a search committee that will begin looking for Glass’s successor.
