Fred Oien article

[bub94]

Re: Fred Oien article

Is anyone else having issues with the online article? Each of the hyperlinks for the follow on pages just reloads page 1 on my system.

They worked fine for me

[JackJD]

Re: Fred Oien article

Pretty bland stuff and nothing new.

[JackFlash]

Re: Fred Oien article

Is anyone else having issues with the online article? Each of the hyperlinks for the follow on pages just reloads page 1 on my system.

[Nidaros]

Re: Fred Oien article

Nothing new there. Everybody knows Fred has a temper. I had heard all of those stories before. And I still think Fred did a tremendous job as AD and showed a tremendous vision in the D1 move (which nobody denies, including the sources in the story.) One thing I try to remember is not to judge people based only on their worst moments. Fred deserved better than this, but he definitely had some bad moments that affected people around him.

I hope people will take the time to read Terry's blog post where Micah Grenz explains why he spoke up. Nobody cared more or worked harder to promote SDSU athletics. But Micah's a person who truly does try to live his life with integrity. I know very few people so single-minded about being the best person they can be. It's just not in his character to lie or avoid the truth. And he's also very dedicated to his friends, including some people who didn't have a great experience in the athletic department.

So rather than savage Micah (or the other sources) I think it's a good idea to just move on. Fred's gone. TV felt this was an important story to tell. You can argue that point, but it's done, and it's a newspaper story, which means it's here today and gone tomorrow. Obsessing over it only makes sure it takes on a life of its own.

Now let's support our new AD and the athletic staff and student athletes and look forward to another great year for SDSU athletics. I, for one, can't wait for Sept. 12.

So much of what I have heard around and in the HPER Department is often third and fourth hand stuff and I suspect the only reason I never experienced the wrath of Dr. Oien's anger was the simple fact that I was donating money on a monthly basis. There was always kind words an a great smile when I encountered Fred, but that can be taken in a positive manner. If Fred treated other booster like he treated me, I think that speaks volumnes about how he worked with the public. When I first qualified for priority parking, I arrived late from my home in Columbus Nebraska and found no parking. I mentioned it casually to Fred and at the next event, I had four staff people come to me an apologize. If that bad management, then no wonder all our business is going overseas, as some people do not care or worry about consumers and customers. Fred did care a great deal about donors, boosters and fans.

The two former coaches who spoke at length in the article probably had their differences with Fred, but some of the third hand information I picked up on indicated that they often over stepped their bounds as coaches. Should Fred been a Casper Milktoast and let them have their way? I dont think so.

Fred was not perfect and could he have managed differently? Probably!! Would he have accompolished as much for SDSU under a softer and gentle way? Probably not. I have all kinds of managers and the ones who are direct and let you know their expectations are the best and easiest ones to work for. I do think Society has in general a dicipline problem that includes both managers and workers. So there is enough blame to go around. Including Micah Grenz, whose one encounter with me was not impressive.

I do hope that AD Justin Sells is not distracted by these Argus Articles. Will they be helpful to Mr Sells? I don't know.


After all this venting on my part, I think JJ is right, its time to move on.

[Grizzled_Jack]

Re: Fred Oien article

I just started following SDSU athletics through this forum about three or four years ago so lots of these allegations predate my interest.

I am in a service club with the president of Lindenwood. I'm sure he'll be bringing in Soderberg in to speak before the group in the next month or two. Anything about the old days that I should pose publicly or privately?

[rabbits64]

Re: Fred Oien article

I think Terry V is going to take some heat for this article, which I don't agree with. People need to remember Terry is hired to report on all things SDSU Athletics, and that includes the good and the bad.
As for the article, many knew about some of Fred's issues, now it is out there for everyone to read. I think Fred did a very good job leading SDSU through the D1 transition. But I wonder did he hold some sports back? Did Fred tick off some big boosters which would affect fund raising?

[EQguy]

Re: Fred Oien article

I'll say odd timing as this could have been researched and written a long time ago. But he still treated Fred very well. While you can say these people may have an axe to grind, they only touched the tip of the iceberg.

[JimmyJack]

Re: Fred Oien article

Nothing new there. Everybody knows Fred has a temper. I had heard all of those stories before. And I still think Fred did a tremendous job as AD and showed a tremendous vision in the D1 move (which nobody denies, including the sources in the story.) One thing I try to remember is not to judge people based only on their worst moments. Fred deserved better than this, but he definitely had some bad moments that affected people around him.

I hope people will take the time to read Terry's blog post where Micah Grenz explains why he spoke up. Nobody cared more or worked harder to promote SDSU athletics. But Micah's a person who truly does try to live his life with integrity. I know very few people so single-minded about being the best person they can be. It's just not in his character to lie or avoid the truth. And he's also very dedicated to his friends, including some people who didn't have a great experience in the athletic department.

So rather than savage Micah (or the other sources) I think it's a good idea to just move on. Fred's gone. TV felt this was an important story to tell. You can argue that point, but it's done, and it's a newspaper story, which means it's here today and gone tomorrow. Obsessing over it only makes sure it takes on a life of its own.

Now let's support our new AD and the athletic staff and student athletes and look forward to another great year for SDSU athletics. I, for one, can't wait for Sept. 12.

[Rabbitlivinginverm]

Well, it's in today's paper:

http://www.argusleader.com/article/2...S0202/90516008

http://www.argusleader.com/article/2...S0202/90516007