Thomas M. Jurich (born July 26, 1956) is a former American college sports administrator and former football player. He previously served as the vice president and director of athletics at the University of Louisville. He was hired at the University of Louisville on October 21, 1997, after holding the same positions at Colorado State University and Northern Arizona University, and was fired on October 18, 2017, following a pay-for-play corruption scandal in NCAA basketball. On October 1, 2007, Jurich and the university entered into a contract that runs through July 26, 2023. The agreement was an extension of an agreement that began April 1, 2004.[1] In 2007, Jurich was selected Street & Smith's SportsBusiness Journal/SportsBusiness Daily National Athletic Director of the year.[2][3]
| Biographical details | |
|---|---|
| Born | July 26, 1956 Alhambra, California, U.S. |
| Alma mater | Northern Arizona University |
| Playing career | |
| 1974–1977 | Northern Arizona |
| 1978 | New Orleans Saints |
| Position(s) | Placekicker |
| Administrative career (AD unless noted) | |
| 1988–1994 | Northern Arizona |
| 1994–1997 | Colorado State |
| 1997–2017 | Louisville |
Jurich was born in Alhambra, California and played kicker at Arcadia High School, at Northern Arizona University, and in one game for the New Orleans Saints of the National Football League (NFL), after being drafted in the 10th round of the 1978 NFL Draft.[4][5] Jurich spent four years at Colorado State University, starting in early 1994, as athletics director. Previously, he had been the athletics director for Northern Arizona from 1988 to 1994.
One of his first actions was to replace Ron Cooper with John L. Smith as football coach, in an attempt to boost fan support before the move to the new Papa John's Cardinal Stadium.[6] One of his notable accomplishments was bringing Rick Pitino to the University of Louisville on March 21, 2001.[7] Pitino considered accepting the basketball coaching job at University of Michigan, but told the media, "I can't get on the phone and tell Tom no. I can't tell him this."[8] Pitino replaced Denny Crum.
Jurich was placed on unpaid administrative leave on September 27, 2017, after the Louisville basketball program was implicated in an FBI investigation[9] for a pay for play corruption scandal in NCAA basketball. His contract was formally terminated on October 20, 2017.[10] On May 18, 2018, the board of trustees agreed to a $4.5 million settlement with Jurich that cleared him of any wrongdoing and phrased his termination as "retirement".[11]
Education edit
Jurich studied at Northern Arizona, graduating with a degree in finance in 1980. He was voted class president at Northern Arizona in 1979.[12]
Family edit
Jurich and his wife, Terrilynn, have four children: sons Mark and Brian, and twin daughters Haley and Lacey.[12]
References edit
- ^ "Louisville AD Tom Jurich has 16-year deal filled with perks". USA Today. October 6, 2011. Retrieved 2017-09-14.
- ^ Thamel, Pete (September 11, 2007). "A Bad Sign?". The New York Times.
- ^ "Jurich Receives Top Honor by Sports Business Journal". University of Louisville Athletics. Retrieved 2022-10-17.
- ^ "Tom Jurich Stats, News and Video - K". NFL.com. Retrieved 2022-10-17.
- ^ Carroll, Bob. Total Football II: The Official Encyclopedia of the National Football League (Harper Collins, 1999) p.966
- ^ Bolus, Jim. Louisville Cardinals Football (Sports Publishing LLC, 1999) p.1969
- ^ Vitale, Dick Dick Vitale's Living a Dream: Reflections on 25 Years Sitting in the Best (2006) p.29
- ^ Goodstein, Raphael. Pitino changes his mind, goes to Louisville The Michigan Daily March 22, 2001
- ^ Rutherford, Mike (2017-09-27). "Louisville athletic director Tom Jurich has been fired". cardchronicle.com. Retrieved 2018-10-10.
- ^ "UofL president's termination letter to Tom Jurich accused him of 'bullying' and 'habitual dereliction of duties' - Insider Louisville". Archived from the original on 2017-10-26. Retrieved 2017-10-25.
- ^ "Louisville settles with ex-AD Jurich for $4.5M". ESPN.com. 18 May 2018. Retrieved 19 May 2018.
- ^ a b "Tom Jurich: The Cardinals' Can-Do Man". www.sportsbusinessdaily.com. Retrieved 2017-09-14.