Changes in the athletic department

[jackmd]

Not sure if the moderators will allow this but I'm going to post it anyways. I understand there will be some changes in administration within the athletic department. Its nothing shocking or earth shattering, just a change. I'm certain we will all know more very soon.

[JimmyJack]

Re: Changes in the athletic department

Micah Grenz has resigned, effective today. I'm sure he wouldn't mind me sharing that. He told me earlier this week. It's no secret and his departure was announced to the rest of the Athletic Department in an email yesterday.

Micah told me he wants to spend more time with his wife and kids. I know Micah would want me to be clear that his departure isn't any kind of statement about the department. Micah told me he loved his job there, but it just isn't the kind of job (events management, promotions) that lends itself to family time. Imagine how many nights and weekends are involved in a job like that. I think anyone who is a parent can understand how powerful the desire to spend time with your kids can be. And I think Micah and Greta and the kids want to move closer to the kids' grandparents, too. Having made exactly the same kind of move a couple of years ago, I can certainly understand their plan. Your kids have to come first.

Personally, I'm very, very sorry to see Micah go. He's a tremendous person and nobody worked harder to make the transition a success than Micah did. He'll be sorely missed. For those of you who know him, you know how physically fit he is (marathon runner). It is literally going to be hard to fill the shoes of somebody as energetic and hard working as Micah Grenz. Plus, he's a good friend of mine and I'm going to miss him.

We are lucky to have Mark Burgers in place as Associate AD for external relations. And I understand that Laura Jacobs will fill some of Micah's duties. Laura has been working with Micah as a GA for a couple of years. I'm sure, knowing Micah's organizational skills, that he's leaving some very extensive and complete lists of things that need to get done.

[jackmd]

Re: Changes in the athletic department

Thanks for being a person in the know JJ. I, too, am sad to hear that he is leaving. Not because I think he made the wrong decision, I know all to well how a job can take you away from family, but because he was so good at what he was doing. I know we can't duplicate what Micah did but I hope we find someone who brings similar attributes to the table.

[JackJD]

Re: Changes in the athletic department

That's a loss. Hope Micah finds a great new position.

[CatchEmAll]

Re: Changes in the athletic department

Spoke with Micah tonight. Tough decision to make, but one that will be best for his family. Made a similar decision myself to leave the department 5 years ago and have no regrets as I'm sure Micah will not have either.

Just a quick, great story about Micah's "fitness". When he first arrived at SDSU he was volunteering in Marketing and happened to be in the office on a Thursday when Dr. Oien came in saying he'd gotten a call from an SDSU grad associated with a marathon in Ohio that was aiming to have a runner from all 50 states but didn't have one from South Dakota yet. The marathon was that Sunday, so Micah, having not trained a lick for it, flew to Ohio, ran the marathon, in a great time as well, and was back at work on Monday looking none the worse for the wear. Absolutely floored me that someone could do that.

Great person, great family, GREAT loss for the department.

[Jackrabbit]

Re: The Rabbit Test

That story is one that passes "The Rabbit Test". So long Micah.

[Jacks#1Fan]

Re: Changes in the athletic department

I think one of the things that many of the posters don't realize is how much stress the D-I move has put on the administrative staff. We've had to add coaches in all sports, and put dollars raised into additional scholarships, and needed facilities. But the additions to the administrative staff, which has WAY more to do than five years ago, has basically only been increased by adding fund raisers. There are a lot of "Micah's" over in HPER! My best wishes go with Micah and his family.

[CatchEmAll]

Re: Changes in the athletic department

I think one of the things that many of the posters don't realize is how much stress the D-I move has put on the administrative staff. We've had to add coaches in all sports, and put dollars raised into additional scholarships, and needed facilities. But the additions to the administrative staff, which has WAY more to do than five years ago, has basically only been increased by adding fund raisers. There are a lot of "Micah's" over in HPER! My best wishes go with Micah and his family.

Emphasis added. In the corporate world, imagine running a company at full capacity and then doubling it without adding to the staff in charge of running the company. That's loosely what's been done with the athletic department. Many people stretched way too thin but still providing great experiences for Student-Athletes and fans alike.

[rabbit_on_the_run]

Re: Changes in the athletic department

I was alerted by a member of the board that this thread was in play and wanted to thank all of you that posted for the kind words. The South Dakota State University athletic department changed my life forever in a positive way. I left with them owing me nothing and me owing them everything. The decision to leave that our family made was no reflection on the department and I already miss not being with those people every day. My role was very small in fighting through many battles together and they truly have the best interest of Jackrabbit student-athletes and fans in mind when making any decision.

Now that I am one of you on "The Outside" I can't encourage you enough to do what you can to make things better at SDSU. For some this may be donating money for construction (Thanks again, Dana and family) while others have a real talent for being bald and screaming into a microphone in the "World's Largest Rabbit Den." (You the man, JT) Every little bit helps and counts. Even remaining calm if your tailgate spot gets moved or your will call tickets are not in the right spot makes a difference in the lives of the athletic department as a whole.

I want to thank so many people by name but would not even want to begin for fear that someone is forgotten. However, I would be remissed if I did not recognize Coach Stig and Coach Nagy for the role models that they were to me for how to be successful in college athletics while being even more successful in their own homes. They have taken the words "Lifelong Champions" and put them into daily action far beyond the field of competition.

It is great to be a member of Jackrabbit Nation.

[jackmd]

Re: Changes in the athletic department

I was alerted by a member of the board that this thread was in play and wanted to thank all of you that posted for the kind words. The South Dakota State University athletic department changed my life forever in a positive way. I left with them owing me nothing and me owing them everything. The decision to leave that our family made was no reflection on the department and I already miss not being with those people every day. My role was very small in fighting through many battles together and they truly have the best interest of Jackrabbit student-athletes and fans in mind when making any decision.

Now that I am one of you on "The Outside" I can't encourage you enough to do what you can to make things better at SDSU. For some this may be donating money for construction (Thanks again, Dana and family) while others have a real talent for being bald and screaming into a microphone in the "World's Largest Rabbit Den." (You the man, JT) Every little bit helps and counts. Even remaining calm if your tailgate spot gets moved or your will call tickets are not in the right spot makes a difference in the lives of the athletic department as a whole.

I want to thank so many people by name but would not even want to begin for fear that someone is forgotten. However, I would be remissed if I did not recognize Coach Stig and Coach Nagy for the role models that they were to me for how to be successful in college athletics while being even more successful in their own homes. They have taken the words "Lifelong Champions" and put them into daily action far beyond the field of competition.

It is great to be a member of Jackrabbit Nation.

Amen and best of luck. I'm certain there will always be a spot for you and your family should you every decide to return.

[SUPERBUNNY]

Re: Changes in the athletic department

Micah, thanks for the kind words and a heartfelt thank you for all that you have done for SDSU over the years. Most have no idea all of the things that you were involved and you always handled everything with a great deal of class and dignity! It has been a pleasure to work with you on a number of occasios. You have made being a Jackrabbit fan a whole lot more fun for everyone!

The saying, "Leave the place better then when you arrived", certainly applies to the many things that Micah has accomplished at SDSU.

All the best to you, Greta, and your children for the future. I hope you will make frequent trips back to see us in the Jackrabbit Nation!

GB, GB, GJ!

SUPERBUNNY

[thebluehatman]

Re: Changes in the athletic department

I haven't had time to comment on this subject but I will now that I have some free time on my hands.

Micah Grenz is a great friend. I was lucky to meet Micah about three or four years ago. Whenever I would see him, he was always hard at work. That was Micah, but he always made time for a little small talk.

Micah's care to make everyone enjoy the game day experience is/was genuine. We spent a lot of time talking about various things to enhance the student game day experience and A Lot of time talking about the Jacks FanAddicts and what we've witnessed other schools doing.

I wish Micah great success in his new endeavors. I'm glad to know Micah Grenz. Hope all goes well for his family in this time and I hope to see him again.