Fullerton’s Carroll Will Stress Unity

Ed Carroll promised to accentuate the positive, stress athletic department unity and work diligently to overcome financial limitations Tuesday at a press conference where his appointment as Cal State Fullerton athletic director was formally announced.

Carroll, 34, a former Titan wrestler who has been Fullerton’s associate athletic director for business affairs since 1982 and served as an assistant athletic director from 1980 to 1982, said his first objective would be to improve the image of Titan sports. His appointment becomes effective July 1.

“There’s going to be a big push on my part to emphasize the positive things here at Cal State Fullerton,” he said. “The power of positive thinking can do wonders and unfortunately, when we have limitations, we find ourselves dwelling on those limitations and speaking to those limitations much too often.”

Carroll pointed to Fullerton’s location, academic reputation, a coaching staff he “wouldn’t trade for any other group of men and women in the country” and the commitment of the school administration to athletic excellence as pluses that are often overlooked.

He also criticized what he called “innuendoes and misrepresentations in the media” regarding the administration’s lack of support for athletics and said that Jewel Plummer Cobb, Fullerton president, was very supportive and committed to athletics.

“Unfortunately, there have been a number of things printed in the media which are not true and I think a lot of times people speak out of ignorance or disappointment,” Carroll said.

When reminded that a number of Titan coaches have lamented over a lack of support from the administration, Carroll said he believes it is primarily a communication problem.

“I don’t think our coaches have always been told exactly what’s happening, particularly in terms of the state budget,” he said. “It becomes easy when you have shortcomings to look for a scapegoat and as long as I’ve been here, the most convenient scapegoat has been the upper level of administration.

“That’s going to change. We know what our problems are and we plan to solve them, not direct them on other people. Coaches, out of frustration, have bemoaned our lack of facilities and budget. What I plan to do during face-to-face meetings with all our coaches is convince them that is not the way to build our program. The way to build it is to emphasize the positive and develop strategies to overcome our limitations.

“Crying about our limitations in the press doesn’t do us any good. Sure, we have financial problems, but the way to overcome them is by increasing attendance and improving fund-raising. And we’ll accomplish that by presenting a positive image to the community. We won’t do it by moaning and groaning.”

Asked if he will institute a no-moaning-and-groaning policy, Carroll laughed and said, “Possibly, but I don’t like to muzzle people. I hope our coaches will agree with me because they know it will be in the best interest of the program.”

Near the top of Carroll’s list of priorities will be completion of an on-campus sports complex that will include a football-soccer facility and a baseball field. The project’s development had been delayed by lengthy court battles, but the legal barriers have been cleared. Construction of the complex is scheduled to begin after completion of a hotel on the same site.

“We’re waiting for the developer to come to final terms with everyone involved,” Carroll said. “I haven’t been that involved with the project so far, but I plan to get very involved, and, of course, I’m interested in fast-tracking the thing as much as possible.”

Carroll said he was not in a position to offer any sort of timetable at this point, however.

Another of Carroll’s immediate objective will the hiring of an assistant athletic director for development, an associate director for business affairs and a women’s basketball coach to replace Chris Gobrecht, who recently accepted a similar post at the University of Washington.

Cobb said she was pleased and honored to announce Carroll’s appointment.

“He is extremely well thought of in his department among his colleagues and also is well known around the campus,” she said. “He has a strong sense of loyalty to the university and we care very much about that. We are well-acquainted with his efficiency over a number of years and his understanding of the components that make up our university athletic budget is very important to us.

“He understands the importance of fiscal responsibility and has the full confidence of the coaches, other athletic personnel and the Titan Athletic Foundation. I think he is a wonderful, wonderful new person in this job.”

Carroll stressed that while Fullerton has its share of disadvantages in terms of fan support, financial backing and facilities, the program’s youth has to be taken into consideration.

“A short 11 years ago, we weren’t even a Division 1 program,” he said, “and we have shown dramatic progress in that time. If you project the improvement we’ve made in that time over the next 11 years we’ll be in a strong, strong position. We’ve increased season ticket sales 766% since I got here in fall of 1980.”

Fullerton has had seven athletic directors--four full-time and three acting--in five years, but Carroll says he plans to give the position some stability by staying at Fullerton for a long time.

“I know Pete Facione (head of Fullerton’s athletic director search committee) has had considerable experience with search committees in recent years,” Carroll said, smiling. “I can promise that as far as I’m concerned, he won’t have to concern himself with that again in his lifetime.”