+ The Big Ten Network has video interviews with most of the coaches in the conference (Tom Crean not included). {Big Ten Network}

+ The media selected Michigan State as the preseason favorite to win the Big Ten and also announced its all-league team, headlined by Kalin Lucas. {Big Ten Conference}

+ Fred Glass confirmed that he talked to Bob Knight and the former coach will not attend his Hall of Fame induction. His reason? He didn’t want to detract from the other inductees. {IU Athletics}

+ Michigan State coach Tom Izzo says the Big Ten is the best its been in a decade. And Bruce Weber chimes in on Indiana. {The Hoosier Scoop}

Big Ten Media Day Tom Crean Audio (Thanks to The Hoosier Scoop)

Or if you prefer video

Indianapolis Star columnist Bob Kravitz spoke with Fred Glass and revealed that the AD is already making a concentrated effort to bring back Knight on November 6:

Already, Glass has sent Knight a hand-written letter asking him to come to the ceremonies.

He also has commissioned one Hall of Fame committee member — former Bloomington journalist Bob Hammel– to personally reach out to The General and convince him it’s time to come home.

Time heals wounds. But something tells me that the letter from Glass could be lost on Knight’s desk. It’s encouraging that Hammel, a long-time friend of Knight and former Herald-Times sports editor, has agreed to assist in this process. But Hammel’s involvement doesn’t guarantee Knight will return.

Kudos to Glass for realizing that it’s a sham to have a Hall of Fame at IU for athletics that doesn’t include Knight. Regardless of the way things ended nine years ago, it’s time to do the right thing and recognize Knight’s accomplishments and contributions to Indiana.

The only question that’s left to be answered: Will Knight accept Indiana’s invitation?

Here’s the reaction from athletic director Fred Glass:

“We take this public notice very seriously. The poor academic performance for which we’re being cited all occurred under two coaches who are no longer at IU.  We are confident that under Coach Tom Crean’s leadership and commitment to academics, responsibility, and character, we will soon be able to put our previous academic issues fully in the past. Coach Crean’s outstanding academic record at Marquette, including the graduating of all of his senior players, speaks for itself.”

I think Mr. Glass is pointing at you, Kelvin. For the record, Crean’s APR score from Marquette was also released this afternoon and it was 970. Because IU voluntarily forfeited two scholarships this past season in anticipation of a low APR, they’ll be able to utilize all 13 scholarships moving forward.

The event runs from 7pm to 9pm with Crean and Glass scheduled to speak at 8pm. Appetizers will be provided.

Click here for more details or visit Joe’s on Weed Street.

Indiana University Vice President and Director of Athletics Fred Glass is hoping to attract more fans to come to Assembly Hall for the remainder of the 2009 men’s basketball season. Effective immediately, balcony tickets (subject to availability) will be on sale for the remainder of the season for $5 per game.

“Attendance at Assembly Hall, as it has been around the conference is a little down,” said Glass. “Because some of this is likely attributable to the challenging national economic situation, we want to make the games more affordable and otherwise more family friendly.”

“I love how hard our team plays and how hard Coach Crean coaches,” added Glass. “They never quit and I want to encourage Hoosier Nation not to quit on them. Fan support in Assembly Hall has been tremendous. We just want to encourage more people to be there.”

Among ideas that Glass hopes will catch on with the Hoosier faithful is an honorary game captain; allowing youngsters to shoot layups on Assembly hall’s hallowed hardwood following weekend home games; encouraging the crowd to be more engaged in and around the game; and resurrecting spirit signs for dorms, greek houses, and local businesses to hang up prior to home games.

While I admire Glass’s attempt to place warm bodies inside the droves of empty seats at Assembly Hall, I must whole heartedly disagree with his comment about the economy. Over the weekend, I attended the Louisville-Pittsburgh game and there was not an empty seat to be found and the concession lines were longer than ever. The same can be said at nearly ever other big-time program across the country. The fact is that the casual fan is not coming to IU games this season because the product is not what they have grown to expect.

• IU hires new athletic director, literally {The Dagger at Yahoo!}
• Matt Dollinger of the IDS sits down with Glass for a Q & A {Basketblog}
• IDS columnist Chris Engel calls Glass “the right hire” {Indiana Daily Student}
• Glass hopes to move past NCAA problems {Indiana Daily Student}
• Glass will earn $410,000 annually, work with no contract {The Hoosier Scoop}
• Terry Hutchens talks to Glass about Crean, NCAA probe and more {Indy Star}
• IU gets its man from familiar sources {Indy Star}
• It’s a dream job for new AD Glass {Associated Press}

• Video of Fred Glass press conference
• Audio of Fred Glass press conference

Fred Glass Chosen to Head Department of Athletics

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Indiana University President Michael A. McRobbie today (Oct. 28) named Fred Glass, ‘81, an Indianapolis attorney and civic leader, to be IU’s next director of intercollegiate athletics.

Glass is well known in Indianapolis for his central role in several major sports-related initiatives, including negotiating a 30-year deal to keep the Colts in the city, financing and building the new Lucas Oil Stadium, organizing a Super Bowl bid and bringing major NCAA basketball events to the city.

A partner in the law firm of Baker & Daniels, Glass served as president of the city’s Capital Improvement Board from 2000 to 2007, a position that gave him extensive first-hand experience in both the financial and managerial challenges of sports at the highest levels.

“In all of these major undertakings, Fred demonstrated a remarkable talent for leadership, for mastering the details of big challenges, for diplomacy, and for consensus building,” McRobbie said. “He has a well-earned reputation as someone who can get the big things done. He is exactly the person we need to take on the challenges our Athletics Department will encounter in the next decade.”Glass replaces Rick Greenspan, who decided to resign as of the end of the year. Glass will officially take over on Jan. 2.

“In our discussions, I was greatly impressed that Fred not only understood the challenges before our intercollegiate athletics program but also the importance of IU athletics being an integral part of the life of the entire university,” McRobbie said. “He knows firsthand of the greatness of this institution, its students, faculty, and staff — and he fully embraces our aspirations for excellence.”

Glass was recommended to McRobbie by a 13-member search committee headed by Bill Stephan, vice president for engagement.

“The committee worked diligently in reviewing the credentials of scores of candidates, but ultimately found in Fred Glass someone who possesses the unique combination of skills, experiences, accomplishments and passion for this great institution that truly distinguished him from all the other candidates,” Stephan said.

A native of Indianapolis, Glass earned bachelor’s and law degrees from IU in 1981 and 1984, respectively. He served as chief of staff to former Indiana Gov. Evan Bayh from 1989 to 1993 and he was transition team chief for former Indianapolis Mayor Bart Peterson when he took office in 2000.

Peterson appointed Glass to the Capital Improvement Board, which owns and operates Lucas Oil Stadium, the Indiana Convention Center, Conseco Fieldhouse and Victory Field. During his eight-year tenure as CIB president, Glass represented the mayor in successful negotiations to keep the Colts in Indianapolis and headed up the planning effort for construction of Lucas Oil Stadium and the expansion of the convention center.

Glass served on the organizing committees for the NCAA Final Four Tournament in 2000 and again in 2006 and negotiated a deal to make the city part of a permanent rotation to host NCAA Final Fours. He also was on the executive committee of the 2002 World Basketball Championship and co-chaired the 2006 local organizing committee for the Big Ten Men’s and Women’s Basketball Tournaments.

Most recently, he was president of the City of Indianapolis’ 2011 Super Bowl Bid Committee, which although not successful for that year, laid the groundwork for a successful bid for 2012.

Glass is a life member of the IU Alumni Association and serves on the Dean’s Advisory Board to the College of Arts & Sciences. He and his wife, Barbara, who graduated from IU in 1980, are the parents of four children. They are: Katie, 22, a 2008 IU graduate; Joey, 20; Connor, 16; and George, 13.

Glass said he decided to accept the athletics director position at Indiana University because it would give him another opportunity to make a worthwhile contribution to the future of the state and his alma mater.

“Throughout my career, I have been fortunate enough to serve with a number of distinguished public servants in pursuit of bettering our communities and our state,” Glass said. “I wanted to continue serving our state in some capacity where I can truly make a difference. That is why I decided to accept this challenge. When your alma mater comes calling, that is truly an honor. Indiana University athletics have long been a benchmark of excellence — both academically and athletically — and I will do everything within my power to enable our athletic teams to meet all the expectations of our great fans.”

Glass said he strongly believes that a good intercollegiate athletic program must do just as much to help a student-athlete graduate as it does to develop the individual’s athletic abilities.

“Our student-athletes will always get the support and encouragement they need to successfully complete their academic pursuits,” Glass said.

During the search process, Glass was endorsed by Charles M. (C.M.) Newton, the legendary basketball coach and administrator who served as a consultant to the university.

“I was delighted to have the opportunity to meet with and interview Fred Glass, and it became very obvious throughout that conversation that he is a person who well understands the issues and challenges of leading and managing an Intercollegiate athletics department,” Newton said. “I am delighted for Indiana University to have made this hire and look forward to Fred’s leadership and vision for athletics.”

Tony Dungy, head coach of the Indianapolis Colts, said, “I worked very closely with Fred on the Super Bowl effort, and I was very impressed with his vision, leadership and judgment. Indiana University has made an outstanding choice.”

“I welcome Fred to the Big Ten family,” added James E. Delany, Commissioner of the Big Ten Conference. “Fred’s legal, community and sports background provide an excellent set of experiences as he moves into IU’s athletics director chair. From a conference perspective, I very much appreciate Fred’s involvement in bringing the Big Ten men’s and women’s basketball tournaments to Indianapolis and look forward to working with him on other projects going forward.”

During the press conference, McRobbie also paid tribute to Rick Greenspan for his achievements during his four-year tenure as AD.

“Rick made a number of important contributions to Indiana University,” McRobbie said. “He substantially improved the financial condition of the department, he hired several truly fine coaches and he spearheaded the construction and renovation efforts at Memorial Stadium. I greatly appreciate all that he’s done.”

As I said last night, I’m going to take the wait-and-see approach on this. I would have preferred De Carolis, but the resume of Glass is nothing to scoff at. His main priorities should be figuring out how to make IU football a winner on a consistent basis (if that’s even possible) and staying out of the way of Tom Crean.

You can read up on Glass right here, but here are a few quick points to consider:

• Glass is an IU alum (1981 undergrad, 1984 School of Law)
• Currently a partner in the Bakers & Daniel law firm
• Served from 2000-2007 as the President of the Marion County Capital Improvement Board of Managers which owns and oversees the Indiana Convention Center, RCA Dome, Victory Field and Conseco Fieldhouse
• Served on committees in 2000 and 2006 to organize the Final Four in Indianapolis
• Current member of local organizing committee for Big Ten Tournament

Solid body of work, but the main thing missing is “led an athletic department at a major university in the Big Ten.” Wait, I’ll settle for experience at a smaller school. Not there either. I’ll withhold judgment until I hear some comments from McRobbie and Glass, but on the surface, there are some questions to be answered here. With that said, go get ‘em, Glass.

The three candidates: Oregon State’s Bob De Carolis, IU Associate AD Scott Dotson and Indianapolis lawyer Fred Glass. De Carolis has done a stellar job out in Corvallis, Dolson has the IU ties that some supporters of the program covet and Glass has experience working with the NCAA and is a superstar lawyer.

De Carolis had the buzz last weekend, but Glass is the name with momentum if you believe John Decker of Hoosier Nation. He’s got an impressive resume, but I’m not sure the AD position in Bloomington is the best place for a man who has never led an athletic department. The same can also be said for Dotson. De Carolis seems like the safest bet (and most intriguing) of the three, but Oregon State will probably do its best to keep him.

With that said, I post this question to you: Of these three candidates, who would you like to see IU hire and why? Bring it in the comments.