In an effort of fairness to Tom, though much disliked he did many positive things while at OHIO and things that have lasted beyond his tenure. The renovation of many facilities after years of neglecting the brick and mortar of athletics, Peden renovation, turf, Carin Center, upgrade in lighting, sound and scoreboards to the Convo (before Corperate dollars were what they are today), new Convo floor, relationship with ISP, legitimate office space and suite settings for the major coaches, summer school monies for key sports, upgrades in budgets and support staff (which support staff has actually shrunk since his tenure), the creation of OHIO Sports Network (which reached WAY more markets than today), his top guys all rose to the ranks of DI AD's, he brought more Power conference teams to Peden than any AD since. Creation of the athletic mall, including the soccer field! Pruitt, Goldsberry Track and the softball facility. The move away from Kelly Green, the Attack Cat Logo, the branding of OHIO and the long fight for recognition of the brand OHIO. The creation of the Bobcat Club (good or bad). Though he was brash and hard to take at times, he did leave a positive mark on OHIO Athletics.

Bobcat Club was a Kirby creation. But I agree - Tom gets a bad rap. I'd take Schaus over him in a heartbeat...but we may still be mired in McElhaney/Ping mediocrity had Boeh not come to Athens. We were a D2 school for all intents and purposes in the 80's and early 90's.

Good observation. His time also coincided with the start of the economic downturn and a decrease in state support. The university (athletics and otherwise) was going through a bit of a financial crisis. Much like Boeh, Kirby gets a bad rap too. But similarly, I think he also did what had to be done. The sports that were cut were non-competitive and poorly supported financially. While the decision was unpopular, there's not denying that the athletic department has been MUCH better off in the budget since then.