Ken Kavanagh

[tornado]

If the size and enthusiasm of the crowd who attended today's reception for the Kavanaghs
are any evidence, then the Kavanaghs were very well liked and will be missed.
Lots of people...hard to count as they came and went continually but I'd say over 1000...
but a contingent from the MVC (Doug Elgin, Joe Mitch), and many players and coaches (Les, Molinari, Buescher, DeRose, Stowell, and may others..)
all honored KK. Nice ceremony...and I can safely say there isn't likely a single other employee or
person affiliated with the University or perhaps with any endeavor in this community who would have had such an outpouring of support.

I had a little chance to talk with Coach Les who is busy on the recruiting trail and to coach Mo...and all are very sad to see KK go.
Nice to see the place packed with supporters for the Kavanaghs...and even many representatives from the community, the past few mayors, state representatives and state senators...

[Out of Bounce]

I just got home, it was a very nice reception and send off. Ken has a very nice looking family. Alot of people there and a lot of well known ones from both BU, XBU and the cummunity. Of course there was one who was a NO Show but we knew that one wouldn't be there Hope she can live with what she did to this gentleman and his family This is a BIG LOSS for BU This time don't give me the AX

[Beninator]

Great to hear... I couldn't make the reception because of family reasons, so I am very happy to hear that KK and his family got the send off they deserve.

[SFP]

BTW...Who sponsored this? There is also a statement being made regarding this send off from some BU supporters.

[tornado]

friends of KK arranged this, here is a video report..

http://centralillinoisproud.com/content/fulltext/?cid=63212

just what are "some BU supporters" "saying"?

[Beninator]

just what are "some BU supporters" "saying"?

Well it seems that tonight, actions and numbers speak louder than words.

[MacabreMob]

I couldn't make it.

Best wishes to KK and his family!

[Da Coach]

Another nice article about Ken from the media in Florida-

http://www.naplesnews.com/news/2009/jun/13/destined-be-ad-kavanagh-begins-new-chapter-monday-/

Funny how it portrays a somewhat different picture of Ken than some other articles where the information came from people with an axe to grind.

I heard from people at the recent KK reception that Florida Gulf Coast University did an extensive amount of research into the finalist candidates' backgrounds, and checked out all their references carefully, and that Ken was "head and shoulders" above any other candidate for their AD job.


A few photos-

http://www.naplesnews.com/photos/galleries/2009/jun/13/destined-be-ad/74030/

[tornado]

That is an awesome article and pics!!
People will realize the caliber of talent we have lost to FGCU.
The part of the story about the Kavanagh's daughter Megan is a great story.


JL likes KK's leadership style...
"Les..loved Kavanagh’s leadership style, which did not include knee-jerk reactions or over-the-shoulders leering.

and Elgin has some pretty strong compliments for KK.

The whole, long article hails Kavanagh's move to FGCU as a huge step up!
Too bad his talents went unappreciated here by a few.

[Da Coach]

Articles about Ken Kavanagh's first day on the job at Florida Gulf Coast University-

http://www.naplesnews.com/news/2009/jun/15/fgcus-kavanagh-settles-first-day-athletic-director/

http://www.news-press.com/article/20090616/SPORTS/906160373/1075

[tornado]

Ken Kavanagh is in the news again...

he announces the FGCU women's basketball team has accepted an invitation to play in this fall's WNIT Preseason Tournament

http://www.naplesnews.com/news/2009/jun/16/womens-basketball-fgcu-ad-says-eagles-will-play-pr/

they are still a "provisional NCAA D-I team" and are NOT YET eligible to compete in NCAA D-I post-season play,
but this is a real coup to get in on the Preseason WNIT!

Way to go Ken...scoring big successes in the very first few days on the job at FGCU!!

[Da Coach]

Another nice article about Ken Kavanagh and how he's doing at Florida Gulf Coast University-

http://www.naplesnews.com/news/2009/jul/04/new-fgcu-ad-already-making-waves--sun/

[tornado]

Nice to see that the folks at FGCU see Bradley as
...."a men??™s mid-major basketball power"

[tornado]

more followup on Ken...who just took over as AD at Florida Gulf Coast University..

http://www.naplesnews.com/news/2009/jul/16/fgcu-notebook-mention-fgcu-sw-fla-and-football-alw/

seems someone in the know has leaked a little info that was only speculated before......

"Ray Judah, chairman of the Lee County Board of Commissioners...said he
believed FGCU was on schedule to field a football program within the next
five years, drawing uncomfortable grins from the FGCU duo (FGCU President
Wilson Bradshaw and athletics director Ken Kavanagh)...

Kavanagh ...said even schools with stadiums are spending $8 million to $10
million on infrastructure, and football would create gender equity concerns."

[tornado]

Here's the first evidence I have seen that Ken Kavanagh's connections to Central Illinois might possibly benefit Florida Gulf Coast recruiting!

Talented Peoria Irish center, Jeff Johnson, who attends Champaign Centennial, now has picked up an offer from FGCU to play basketball for head coach Dave Balza.
Jeff's only other offers are Eastern Kentucky, IUPUI, Penn, SIU-Edwardsville, and American.

btw-- Ken's bio page from FGCU

http://www.fgcuathletics.com/athletics/directory/126/1187/