The new Bradley President is Gary Roberts

[Da Coach]

Article from the BU Scout-

http://www.bradleyscout.com/news/gary-roberts-chosen-as-university-president/

[tornado]

The best coverage comes from the Indiana Law School - they know what they're losing...

http://news.iupui.edu/releases/2015/10/roberts-as-bradley-president.shtml

"He received his J.D. in 1975 from Stanford University. He is considered one
of the foremost sports-law experts and scholars in the country.
"This is an amazing thing for me -- to return as president to the university
where my adult life and career began....I would not leave if it were not for
such a remarkably unique opportunity."

"Gary did an outstanding job as our dean and helped move the law school
forward," says current McKinney School of Law Dean Andrew R. Klein. "We
are proud of him and wish him all the best in his new position. Bradley is
fortunate to have someone of his caliber as its new president."

He has been a frequent commentator on broadcast and in print media on
sports-related legal and business issues. He was the on-air legal analyst for
the NFL Network and a lead analyst for other national media outlets during
the National Football League lockout in 2011. He has testified before
congressional committees on nine occasions on sports matters. ...etc."

[BU Bill]

This is a great pick for President. Everything about this man is pure class, and he has been respected and praised everywhere he has been, even long after he left. He's an esteemed Bradley grad. And nobody I can find has a bad word to say about him, unlike the load of questionable stuff that was all over the internet about the last President choice from everywhere she had been. Someone really did their homework this time, and I applaud the Board's work.
Welcome back to BU Gary!

[Da Coach]

He's an esteemed Bradley grad.

Yes, he was. Gary was the recipient of the "Outstanding Young Graduate Award" by Bradley in 1982.

[Da Coach]

WMBD had this segment on tonight's news. At about the 1:40 mark, Gary Roberts talks about the importance of athletics.

http://www.centralillinoisproud.com/news/local-news/just-in-bradley-university-names-11th-president

And did anyone else see the segment that WEEK Channel 25 put on their nightly news about the hiring of Gary Roberts? They do not have a video of it posted on their website yet. It briefly mentioned the hiring of Roberts, and showed a brief video of him at this morning's press conference, then they veered into talk about the Bradley basketball team. It was then stated that "The last time Bradley was successful on the hardwood was when Gary Roberts was a student" and then commented on how bad Bradley basketball has been, finishing with just 9 wins last year, and in last place.
Well, they are right about Bradley being bad last year, but the statement that "The last time Bradley was successful on the hardwood was when Gary Roberts was a student" is just ridiculous. I'd like to know who wrote that copy. Roberts was a student from 1966-1970, and Bradley did not exactly have great success during that time. Joe Stowell was the head coach, and here are the records for those teams-
1969-70 14-12 overall 7-9 in the MVC (6th place)
1968-69 14-12 overall 7-9 in the MVC (tied for 6th place)
1967-68 20-9 overall 12-4 in the MVC (2nd place) NIT 0-1
1966-67 17-9 overall 6-8 in the MVC (tied for 4th place)

I won't list them all, but there have been many seasons since then with much greater success.

[tornado]

I got a nice return email from Gary after emailing my congratulations to him.
He is indeed looking forward to the challenges and wants to "reconnect" with Peoria and his many old friends..

It will be a challenge but I believe we are fortunate to have Dr. Roberts as our leader - I am confident in his abilities and his desire to make Bradley even greater.
And note in his short speech - how he specifically pointed towards his desire to put ATHLETICS at the forefront ...

"Roberts played a key role in attracting new revenue and was deeply involved in athletics
during his career, serving on NCAA committees and as an on-air legal analyst for the NFL network.
It's experience that could help what many in the community have called a less than ideal basketball program at Bradley.
"I want a a first class business school, I want a first class engineering school, I want a first class library
and I want a first class athletic department.
It's in all of our interests that the athletic program works the way it should," said Roberts."

(btw- Gary is a big fan of Joe Stowell - coincidence that we just saw Joe in his return to an active role in Bradley basketball - after being formerly banished by petty personality issues)


There have been surveys - all of which are somewhat subjective - but they have tried to rank
"The hardest jobs" ....and University President always ranks at or near the top because of the immense challenges - educational, financial, logistical, and personal...
In the US there are over 1,000,000 lawyers, 7,000 colleges & universities, and the private universities present unique challenges since you can't just dump the bills off on the taxpayer....but there are only a few dozen SUCCESSFUL Presidents of top private universities. Can't wait 'til Dr. Roberts starts. Go Braves.

[tornado]

More on Gary Roberts

http://www.pjstar.com/article/20151018/NEWS/151019402

[tornado]

Bradley Students Weigh In On New President

http://www.1470wmbd.com/bradley-students-weigh-in-on-new-president/

[PhiAlphaBoy]

I honestly don't think that Bradley could have chosen a better candidate to be their 11th president. The emotion that Gary spoke with during his introduction was even emotional for me to watch. This guy loves Bradley and will lead by example. I thought Glasser did some good things (and obviously some not so good things) but Roberts is the right choice for the right time. I couldn't be happier or more confident for the future of Bradley University.

[Da Coach]

Gary has a great sense of humor (albeit a dry sense of humor), something not usually seen in someone holding such a powerful, high-level position like University President. I think we'll see some of that, and I predict he will find a way to bring the different divisions of the University together.

[tornado]

A little more on Gary Roberts

http://chronicleillinois.com/state-news/new-president-got-his-start-as-bradley-undergrad/

[Da Coach]

A new interview with Gary Roberts who will become President of Bradley University in January. In the interview, he talks a little biographical stuff, and a lot of interesting stuff about his area of expertise, sports law. -

http://isitlegal.podbean.com/e/gary-roberts/

He talks about how he came to apply for and become the President at Bradley starting just after the 26 minute mark. He also talks a little about his plans for Bradley.

[85Brave]

Sounds like a very smart and genuinely nice man. Also sounds like he wasn't the first choice and the job wasn't his first choice. Hope I'm wrong, but that's not encouraging.

[Da Coach]

I have heard that the Board had 1 other candidate that the Board considered at the top of their list along with Gary Roberts, but there were some issues with his background that the Board requested more documentation on. He refused to provide that documentation, and thus the Board offered the position to Gary. That also explains why there was a long delay before the final announcement was made.
I went to Bradley with and know Gary, and he is a real genuine, down-to-earth guy. I think he will make a great President.

Also discussed in that interview I posted- he is against paying athletes, and in discussing several high profile sports legal cases, he seems to have a great deal of common sense. He would have made a great judge!

[wizard1]

President Gary Roberts portrait

I noticed in the great portrait of Gary Roberts painted by his obviously talented wife, a rifle leaning against the chair he is sitting on. This is very interesting to me since I have been an avid hunter and one of my hobbies is target shooting and hand-loading ammo. Our new President and I may have a common interest.
Wizard