Colorado University Athletics
CU's George Puts Illinois Rumors To Rest
November 19, 2015 | Neill Woelk
BOULDER — Breathe easy, Buffs fans. Colorado athletic director Rick George put to rest Thursday speculation that he might be a candidate for the vacant athletic director's post at the University of Illinois.
“There has been a lot of speculation out there that I will be considered for the athletic director position at the University of Illinois,” George said. “While it is flattering that my name has been connected to the Illinois job, I believe it is due to Illinois being my alma mater and others pushing my name publicly.
“Should Illinois contact me, again that would be both humbling and flattering, but I would gracefully decline because Colorado and Boulder is my home for the foreseeable future.”
Mike Thomas was removed from the Illinois position on Nov. 9, and George's name immediately surfaced as a candidate because of his connections to the school. A 1982 graduate of Illinois, George was a four-year letterman at cornerback for the Illini, and upon graduation, immediately began working for the athletic department as a director of player personnel, then recruiting coordinator for the football team.
George's name also surfaced in connection to the Illinois job because of his success since taking the post at Colorado in July 2013. Since assuming the reins at CU, he has dramatically improved fundraising and has overseen the construction of the Champions Center, one of the premier athletic facilities in the nation. The Buffs have also improved their academic performance and on-field performance almost across the board since his arrival.
George actually first addressed the situation a week ago in a story on CUBuffs.com, indicating then he would not be interested in pursuing the position. Thursday, he reiterated that stance and once again left no doubt.
“My family and I are very happy here at Colorado and we have no intention of leaving,” George said. “I am proud of what we have accomplished in a short period of time but we have much more to get done. I am excited about the future and I am looking forward to taking on the challenges that we face in athletics with our student-athletes, staff and coaches. I can honestly tell you that I plan on being at Colorado as the Athletic Director.
Contact: Neill.Woelk@Colorado.edu
