Bohn defends record, lashes out at move to replace him
BROOMFIELD, Colo. – Mike Bohn said he was blindsided by the University of Colorado’s decision to make a change at athletic director.
He thought he was doing things right.
Well, maybe not on the football field, where the Buffaloes were struggling to find success, but he was bringing in money and the basketball teams were reaching new heights.
He was shocked by the recent conversation he had with chancellor Philip DiStefano, who made it clear the school wanted to head in another direction and that a switch might trigger better opportunities to raise money.
Shock turned to frustration and Bohn submitted his resignation after eight years in charge of the athletic program. He will depart on Monday.
Bohn vigorously defended his track record in a 45-minute speech on Thursday at a nearby hotel, even distributing a seven-page handout detailing accomplishments, fundraising numbers, community involvement and facility investments.
“The insinuation that we don’t have a plan is offensive at best,” Bohn said.
As for why he’s no longer athletic director, Bohn simply said, “I don’t know.”
The day before, DiStefano had a similar briefing and didn’t shed any light on the specifics behind the move. DiStefano did say that he wanted his next athletic director to act like a CEO and manage a program with an annual budget of around $60 million.
Fundraising would be an important part of the position as well.
Bohn took offense at the notion he couldn’t fundraise. In his handout, he said he increased suite sales by 34 percent and created a “Buff Club Cabinet,” where the minimum annual donation was $25,000 (the club had 68 members). He also said athletic giving in cash and pledges totaled $7.6 million in 2011 and $11.8 million in 2012.
“We are the No. 1 fundraising unit on the Boulder campus,” Bohn said. “I was never told, ‘Hey we’re not meeting numbers.’ … That’s why I use words like troubling, shocking – I had no idea this was coming. I was never informed there was ever an issue. When I arrived, the budget was about $32 to $35 million. It’s $60 million now. I’m proud of that record. My heart knows the honest and passionate commitment that we have made. I have no regrets.”
The lack of success on the football field may have ultimately led to his downfall.
Colorado struggled to gain any traction in football, with Bohn firing two coaches and pushing a third out the door.
As part of his buyout, Bohn will receive $918,000 along with eight season tickets to football and basketball games for life. He found it entertaining how taken people were with that part of his settlement agreement.
“I grew up here. This is my hometown. My mom lives here,” Bohn said of the tickets. “Eventually, when I come back to the Colorado area, I’ll have tickets. I want to be a part of it.”
Bohn was athletic director at Idaho from 1998 to 2003.