Press Conference Transcript - Jon LeCrone

Sept. 15, 2008

Horizon League Commissioner Jon LeCrone

"Good afternoon everyone and greeting from Indianapolis. Bud, first of all, all of your athletic director colleagues - I think they knew I was coming today - they send their regards and their best wishes. Allow me a moment, if you would, to let me make just a couple of follow-up comments about leadership. Let me pick up on the thread of this story we have been telling about Bud. It was about this time that Carlos came on [at UWM] that it just so happened that the rotation of our board chair landed here in Milwaukee. So, Carlos was coming on as my boss. And, Bud and I had had a couple of late-night beverages, talking about his career. He was scratching his head thinking maybe it was time for him to go. But, Bud was good enough to stay because Bud was going into the chair of our executive council. So once again, Bud chose that great characteristic of being selfless and hanging with us for a few more years so he could serves two years on the board as council chair so we could have some seamless leadership. So, once again, it was really a good opportunity for Bud and the league."

"I will share one thing with you that you will not know. As Bud contemplated this, he wondered what he was going to do with his time. And, I know, Beth, this will resonate with you. Just recently, and this is a scary thought - Bud shared with me that he was going to take up golf. Now, you are all laughing and I was laughing too. We all know what an athlete Bud is. I told them that will give me a good reason to have to come to Florida to have to visit two or three times to visit with Bud and Beth."

"On behalf of the league, I would like to say this about you. I think the key to your success here are not only the things that have been mentioned, but every true leader knows how to find good people and than get out of the way. And I say that in a positive way. Bud did more for this program - including locating many of you people sitting out in the audience today - particularly the coaches. He may have done one of the best jobs in our league in hiring fantastic coaches and giving them the tools to be successful. So, Bud, congratulations, that is a real compliment about your leadership. Would you all again, thank and congratulate Bud - we are going to miss you and we'll be thinking about you often as you start this next phase of your life. Here's to Bud."