R. Bowen Loftin (file photo)
University of Missouri Chancellor R. Bowen Loftin spent an hour talking to the media on Wednesday. He’s had several requests for interviews as he completed his search for a new athletic director, so he took the opportunity to knock it all out at one time. His topics ranged from the hiring of Mack Rhoades to upgrading athletic facilities and Title IX to paying athletes.
Now, you can listen to the full hour’s worth, (I have the audio attached below), or you can join me in my discussion with Missourinet affiliate KTGR as Matt Michaels shares the key points of the conversation.
–On when the construction and renovation of the south end zone at Faurot Field will take place, Loftin says that was delayed until the hiring and announcement of Rhoades, who has experience with building brand new stadiums.
–Loftin and Mike Alden had discussions in December that Alden was making plans to leave. Alden had been thinking about his decision for quite a while, but Loftin first heard about it at the end of the year.
–Loftin is leaving scholarship allocations and increasing the number for softball and baseball to Rhoades. He’s also touched on improving the baseball venue.
–Loftin says everyone is worried about full costs for student-athletes and equality within not just the SEC schools, but the power five conferences.
–Loftin says the school has made extraordinary progress in the last year of on campus assaults and investigations, but there is more to do. They’ve gone through a revision of rules. The school will have a full-time permanent Title IX administrator, arriving on April 20th.
Watch our Google Hangout on the Loftin highlights of the Q & A.
Listen to the full 59 minute Q & A session
