University of Massachusets Athletics
What Others are Saying About Bob Marcum
What Others are Saying About Bob Marcum
 |  Bob Marcum was hired as the Athletic Director at the University of Massachusetts in February of 1993. |
This story was originally published in the May issue of the Maroon & White.
"I've had quite a few bosses [A.D.'s] in my coaching career since I began in 1972. Some have been great. Several were unpleasant to work for. Others I still consider my friends. In terms of professionalism and knowing the trade, Bob was the best and most knowledgeable about all aspects of athletics and many other things outside UMass, too. He treated me fairly and was very supportive. I will always have great respect and admiration for Bob. Now, I hope he has time to get me into some NASCAR events."
--Jim Rudy, UMass Women's Soccer Coach
"I believe it is a tremendous loss for the University. Bob brought an incredible vision to our athletic program. With his leadership, our programs were able to achieve success on a national level and climb to heights that most people thought were never possible.
But, beyond the vision and leadership, was Bob's tremendous understanding of the dynamics and workings of an intercollegiate athletic program. He understands the nature of the business, which is unique, and that's one of his greatest attributes."
--Elaine Sortino, UMass Associate A.D. & Women's Softball Coach
"He brought me here and was a big reason why I came to UMass. Bob is nationally renowned, and we are going to miss him greatly."
--Steve Lappas, UMass Men's Basketball Coach
"From the perspective of an Alumni Director, they don't make them any better than Bob Marcum. He understands the role of alumni in the life of the university, and values their participation and support of Athletics. On a professional level, he was a tremendous colleague and mentor to me. On a personal level, he was-and remains-a good friend.
Bob and I came to UMass at the same time early in 1993. At our first meeting, we agreed to work together to make our programs successful. I'd like to think that when I left UMass, the Alumni Association was in a little better position than it was before. But I know for a fact that the state of athletics has been greatly enhanced under Bob's leadership,"
--John Feudo, Executive Director, UConn Alumni Association; Former UMass Associate Vice Chancellor/ University Advancement
"Bob Marcum is one of the best athletic directors in the country. He has led UMass to new heights. I consider him a dear friend."
--John Calipari, Memphis Head Men's Basketball Coach "Bob served as the conference baromator for many issues, always reminding us that the needs of the student-athlete should be first and foremost. His vision was integral in the growth of the Atlantic 10, leading the conference through issues such as membership and the development of Atlantic 10 Football. His departure will be a loss not only to the conference, but to all of intercollegiate athletics."
--Linda Bruno, A-10 Commissioner
"When Bob Marcum came to Amherst, he brought with him a national vision for the UMass athletic programs and the role that they play within the University community. The UMass athletic program is in much better position now than it was when he arrived. The next Athletic Director will have gigantic shoes to fill."
--Jack Leaman, Former UMass Head Men's & Women's Basketball Coach
"Bob and I were there at same time, right at a point where UMass was going to make or break it. Michael Hooker was the President, Bob was the Athletic Director, John Calipari was the basketball coach, and the Mullins Center was opening. The triangle of those three men totally put UMass on the road to greatness. Bob handled the upsurge with great prowess, and his experience helped us get on the road to success quicker than a lot of people thought possible."
--Pam Hixon, Former UMass Field Hockey Coach
"Bob Marcum has had a remarkable career in college athletics. He has helped, advised and mentored many of us who looked to him for advice and counsel. Bob has been a tremendous leader and his success at Kansas, South Carolina and UMass, speaks for itself. Bob will be missed by all of those whose lives he has touched."
--Gene DeFilippo, Athletic Director, Boston College
"I am disappointed that Bob will not be here to see the fruits of our labor with the hockey program continuing to move forward. I appreciate the insight that he has shared with me regarding the academic and administrative makeup of this University. I also appreciate the support he has shown through the beginning."
--Don Cahoon, UMass Hockey Coach
"Bob Marcum is a true professional. He knows intercollegiate athletics inside and out and knows the significance of wins and losses to a program. But more importantly for UMass, Bob has emphasized academic excellence, the importance of graduating our student athletes and a commitment to the spirit of Title IX throughout his career here.
Sometimes, athletic directors just want to market their programs, but Bob was concerned about marketing the University of Massachusetts, not just its sports programs, and I believe the entire UMass community benefited from that. He saw athletics as a vehicle in which to enhance the entire institution.
The success of UMass' athletic teams and Bob's outstanding leadership is reflected in the Atlantic 10 Commissioner's Cup standings and nationally in the Sears Directors' Cup race. The continued success of our programs is a reflection of Bob's hard work and dedication. Bob leaves behind a tremendous legacy of academic and athletic success that will be greatly missed."
--Peter Lewenberg, Former Member of the UMass Board of Trustees
"In the 50 years I have been associated with UMass, he is truly the greatest person that we have ever had in our athletic department. I especially want to thank Bob for helping to create and maintain the awe-inspiring UMass Athletic Hall of Fame. It is one of the great features and many people come to see it.
We owe all of this to the tremendous leadership that Bob Marcum brought to the University. He is the best athletic director that this University has had, and I will miss him dearly."
--George "Trigger" Burke, UMass Class of 1956
"Bob brought a great sense of professionalism to the program. This was evident in the way the department was run. Without near the resources that many state universities provide to their athletic program, our achievements in the areas of student graduation rates, in-class performance, on the field winning, and the overall reputation of the program is something we can all be proud of."
--Nelson Lacey, Co-Chair, UMass Athletic Council
"We, members of the Athletic Council, have enjoyed working with Bob Marcum over the past decade. It has been a decade of great achievements for UMass Athletics. Through Bob's guidance and experience, he assembled coaches, staff, and student-athletes who brought UMass onto the national scene. For this we, the campus community, will be eternally grateful.
His administration has set the standard by which all future athletic administrations will be judged. While there is always a scorecard in the athletic arena, we believe the marks which are most important are the A-10 Commissioner's Cup for athletic and student academic performance, the high rankings in the Sears Cup, and perhaps the most important, the top 20 ranking by U.S. News & World Report for the UMass Athletic Department in Bob's last months of service to the University."
--Rod Warnick, Co-Chair, UMass Athletic Council
"I've had quite a few bosses [A.D.'s] in my coaching career since I began in 1972. Some have been great. Several were unpleasant to work for. Others I still consider my friends. In terms of professionalism and knowing the trade, Bob was the best and most knowledgeable about all aspects of athletics and many other things outside UMass, too. He treated me fairly and was very supportive. I will always have great respect and admiration for Bob. Now, I hope he has time to get me into some NASCAR events."
--Jim Rudy, UMass Women's Soccer Coach
"I believe it is a tremendous loss for the University. Bob brought an incredible vision to our athletic program. With his leadership, our programs were able to achieve success on a national level and climb to heights that most people thought were never possible.
But, beyond the vision and leadership, was Bob's tremendous understanding of the dynamics and workings of an intercollegiate athletic program. He understands the nature of the business, which is unique, and that's one of his greatest attributes."
--Elaine Sortino, UMass Associate A.D. & Women's Softball Coach
"He brought me here and was a big reason why I came to UMass. Bob is nationally renowned, and we are going to miss him greatly."
--Steve Lappas, UMass Men's Basketball Coach
"From the perspective of an Alumni Director, they don't make them any better than Bob Marcum. He understands the role of alumni in the life of the university, and values their participation and support of Athletics. On a professional level, he was a tremendous colleague and mentor to me. On a personal level, he was-and remains-a good friend.
Bob and I came to UMass at the same time early in 1993. At our first meeting, we agreed to work together to make our programs successful. I'd like to think that when I left UMass, the Alumni Association was in a little better position than it was before. But I know for a fact that the state of athletics has been greatly enhanced under Bob's leadership,"
--John Feudo, Executive Director, UConn Alumni Association; Former UMass Associate Vice Chancellor/ University Advancement
"Bob Marcum is one of the best athletic directors in the country. He has led UMass to new heights. I consider him a dear friend."
--John Calipari, Memphis Head Men's Basketball Coach "Bob served as the conference baromator for many issues, always reminding us that the needs of the student-athlete should be first and foremost. His vision was integral in the growth of the Atlantic 10, leading the conference through issues such as membership and the development of Atlantic 10 Football. His departure will be a loss not only to the conference, but to all of intercollegiate athletics."
--Linda Bruno, A-10 Commissioner
"When Bob Marcum came to Amherst, he brought with him a national vision for the UMass athletic programs and the role that they play within the University community. The UMass athletic program is in much better position now than it was when he arrived. The next Athletic Director will have gigantic shoes to fill."
--Jack Leaman, Former UMass Head Men's & Women's Basketball Coach
"Bob and I were there at same time, right at a point where UMass was going to make or break it. Michael Hooker was the President, Bob was the Athletic Director, John Calipari was the basketball coach, and the Mullins Center was opening. The triangle of those three men totally put UMass on the road to greatness. Bob handled the upsurge with great prowess, and his experience helped us get on the road to success quicker than a lot of people thought possible."
--Pam Hixon, Former UMass Field Hockey Coach
"Bob Marcum has had a remarkable career in college athletics. He has helped, advised and mentored many of us who looked to him for advice and counsel. Bob has been a tremendous leader and his success at Kansas, South Carolina and UMass, speaks for itself. Bob will be missed by all of those whose lives he has touched."
--Gene DeFilippo, Athletic Director, Boston College
"I am disappointed that Bob will not be here to see the fruits of our labor with the hockey program continuing to move forward. I appreciate the insight that he has shared with me regarding the academic and administrative makeup of this University. I also appreciate the support he has shown through the beginning."
--Don Cahoon, UMass Hockey Coach
"Bob Marcum is a true professional. He knows intercollegiate athletics inside and out and knows the significance of wins and losses to a program. But more importantly for UMass, Bob has emphasized academic excellence, the importance of graduating our student athletes and a commitment to the spirit of Title IX throughout his career here.
Sometimes, athletic directors just want to market their programs, but Bob was concerned about marketing the University of Massachusetts, not just its sports programs, and I believe the entire UMass community benefited from that. He saw athletics as a vehicle in which to enhance the entire institution.
The success of UMass' athletic teams and Bob's outstanding leadership is reflected in the Atlantic 10 Commissioner's Cup standings and nationally in the Sears Directors' Cup race. The continued success of our programs is a reflection of Bob's hard work and dedication. Bob leaves behind a tremendous legacy of academic and athletic success that will be greatly missed."
--Peter Lewenberg, Former Member of the UMass Board of Trustees
"In the 50 years I have been associated with UMass, he is truly the greatest person that we have ever had in our athletic department. I especially want to thank Bob for helping to create and maintain the awe-inspiring UMass Athletic Hall of Fame. It is one of the great features and many people come to see it.
We owe all of this to the tremendous leadership that Bob Marcum brought to the University. He is the best athletic director that this University has had, and I will miss him dearly."
--George "Trigger" Burke, UMass Class of 1956
"Bob brought a great sense of professionalism to the program. This was evident in the way the department was run. Without near the resources that many state universities provide to their athletic program, our achievements in the areas of student graduation rates, in-class performance, on the field winning, and the overall reputation of the program is something we can all be proud of."
--Nelson Lacey, Co-Chair, UMass Athletic Council
"We, members of the Athletic Council, have enjoyed working with Bob Marcum over the past decade. It has been a decade of great achievements for UMass Athletics. Through Bob's guidance and experience, he assembled coaches, staff, and student-athletes who brought UMass onto the national scene. For this we, the campus community, will be eternally grateful.
His administration has set the standard by which all future athletic administrations will be judged. While there is always a scorecard in the athletic arena, we believe the marks which are most important are the A-10 Commissioner's Cup for athletic and student academic performance, the high rankings in the Sears Cup, and perhaps the most important, the top 20 ranking by U.S. News & World Report for the UMass Athletic Department in Bob's last months of service to the University."
--Rod Warnick, Co-Chair, UMass Athletic Council