Change at the Top

In addition to the new(ish) conference change coming up, UT Arlington will experience some new leadership in two key areas. While I can't specifically say what the moves mean individually, I see any change given the current situation is a positive. 

Jennifer Evans-Cowley was named the sole finalist for the UTA presidency on January 7th. Due to state rules, the UT system Board of Regents completed the formality on February 1st, where she officially became the 10th president. Her official start date is April 28th, though I've heard some rumors she may unofficially begin before that.

She replaces Dr. Teik Lim, who was the interim president for the last two years. He took a position as president of New Jersey Institute of Technology. 

Evans-Cowley comes to UTA from the University of North Texas. She was the Vice President of Academic Affairs and was a Provost. She had applied for many positions across the country and her resume has been circulated.

She has publicly supported the role of sports and athletics in college life. No surprise there. Few presidents or president-applicants would say otherwise. As for the specifics as they relate to UTA, there's is no real information out there that I have been able to find. Anything at this point is pure speculation. 

As for the Athletic Department itself, on February 8, the Mavericks announced Athletic Director Jim Baker would retire from his role, effective September 1 of this year.

I had heard rumors this was coming for months. Given the current state of the Department, it is understandable why. At this time four years ago, it would have been a bit harder to understand. 

• The men's basketball team was working on their third 20-win season in a row and advanced to the NIT quarterfinals the year prior.
• The women's counterpart was elevating their program to perennial conference contenders and were coming off a WNIT appearance.
• The baseball team was the defending West Division champs in the Sun Belt Conference. 
• Softball was in the NIT-equivalent after a 32-win season.
• Volleyball didn't have the same success, but the team won more matches than they lost (16-12) under second-year coach J.T. Wenger.
• Men's trio of track teams were always contenders for a conference title. The indoor and outdoor men's teams were reigning conference champs. The cross country team finished the conference meet second earlier in the year.
• The women's trio of track teams had their best showing since joining the Belt (2nd indoor, 3rd outdoor), though the cross country team finished 8th out of 12 in the fall season.
• The tennis teams were the outlier, as the men finished 5th out of 8, while the women were 6th out of 11.
• The men's golf team had high hopes on the eve of the spring season, as they would finish in a tie for second. The women's team was about to start their first season. That alone showed optimism as the women's golf team was the first new program at UTA since the early 1980's.

In addition, attendance was improving in all sports. Since joining the SBC, volleyball's average attendance increased year-over-year four out of six seasons to that point and had numerous matches drawing 1,000 plus. They finished second in attendance in the conference. Men's basketball had drawn four of the top five attended seasons since Baker joined, tripling attendance in most season prior to College Park Center. Women's basketball was the SBC total attendance leader the year prior and had more than doubled their gate as well. They repeat that feat again in 2017-18, as well as lead the SBC in average attendance. Baseball's attendance increased every year in the Sun Belt to that point, nearly doubling. Softball was similar, but was coming off a decrease immediately prior.

But what a difference a month made. You can basically pinpoint the start of the decline with the firing of Scott Cross. I gave it a little attention here. As I said then, and will repeat now, I give him credit for the move, in that it was a controversial decision. Had it worked out, he'd have been labeled a genius. But obviously, it didn't. In fact, it was the single-worst decision in the history of UTA athetics, football included.

The problem was seen immediately. I think Baker underestimated the blowback. Damage control came immediately, mostly in the re-hiring of Cross associate coach Greg Young. However, men' basketball attendance hasn't recovered. It dropped 20 percent immediately and declined every year since the firing (discounting the year lost to COVID). It hasn't eclipsed 2,000 since Cross left. The 2021/22 team saw the lowest attendance since College Park Center opened. 

Attendance at other sports hasn't declined like men's basketball. However, the results in the field of play are spotty at best. Volleyball is a middle of the pack SBC team and Texas State has zoomed past UTA. men's basketball has finished middle or worse every year save the first one without Cross. Women's basketball has been a top three year in and out. Baseball has also been middle of the pack, though the year interrupted by COVID was promising. Softball finished third in a tough SBC twice, but also seventh once. They were champs of the 2019 National Invitational Softball Championship. All six track teams haven't finished better than 3rd, with the exception of the men's indoor team 1st in 2019, and 2nd in 2020. As for the rest of the sports, they've been middle of the pack, save only women's tennis with a championship in 2021.

Given the decline of competitiveness, which, to be fair, is cyclical in sports, and the decline of support in UTA's premier sport, a change was needed in some capacity. I heard rumors of a loss of confidence in his leadership.

Not everything was his in his control. UTA was essentially kicked out of its conference for not sponsoring football. UTA was also hampered by having an interim president, who is essentially just guiding the ship and not leaving any major fingerprints anywhere. I have a hard time thinking Dr. Lim was ready to make any major decision regarding Athletics.

But now is a great time to reassess UTA's athletics future. They are heading to a new conference with new opportunities. With a new president, she has the ability to put a new person in charge who shares her vision, or will execute what she wants. In the end, having new eyes and permanent leadership in those keys areas should benefit the future of UTA.

Either way, new conference, new president and new athletic director. New optimism is there too.