2008 Woodie Awards
Q&A with Acting Athletic Director Joe Bednarsh
Yoel Eis
Issue date: 8/31/05 Section: Sports
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Commie: Do you think your job as interim Athletic Director (A.D.) is an audition to become the A.D.?
JB: I would hope so. The search is still on for a new A.D. If they find one, I would have no problem going back to my old job as Assistant A.D. I have familiarity with a lot of the responsibilities of the A.D. and am also familiar with the faculty and students. That is an invaluable asset. However, I am still learning the ropes and hope that I can do the best job possible.
Commie: Why was no one else hired? Was a good candidate not found or did no one want the job?
JB: I honestly don't know. I think there was a candidate. But, they did not involve me in the search because it would not have been a good idea for me to be involved in the hiring of my boss. I did, over the summer, what needed to be done for the summer, and if they find someone tomorrow who they think is better suited, I would have no problem giving it up.
Commie: How long do you think you will be here for?
JB: I really don't know. I hope to be able to get through the year and if I do a good job, and I could handle the responsibilities, I would hope that they would hire me as the A.D.
Commie: Why is this the 3rd A.D. in 3 years? Is there something unappealing about the job?
JB: That isn't a fair question. Dr. Zernick was amazing at what he did for 7 years. He had a great relationship with everyone. He was my mentor. He was just ready to retire.
Commie: What would you like to change about the Athletic Department?
JB: I don't know if it is my mandate to change anything. Right now I am only here as an interim A.D. However, my new assistant, Michael Gurock has some great ideas that we hope to implement. I would love to expand interest in all the sports and get more excitement on campus.
Commie: So, if you were given the title of A.D., what changes would you like to make?
JB: I would like to expand the women's program, provide more services to the women. It is a challenge because I don't know how long I will be in this position for. If there is interest, we would like to expand more sports. I am here to be responsive to students' needs and requests. I believe in the Division III philosophy of focusing on the "student athlete." Part of the education process is the experience of playing sports while in school. I understand that with the dual curriculum it is much harder on the students at Yeshiva University than in any other school to participate in sports. Last year the students came to us and said they wanted a baseball team and they got one.
Commie: About the baseball team: There has been much talk about its future. What is its status for the upcoming year?
JB: I am proud to say that we will be fielding a varsity team that will play in the CUNY Conference. Last year it only had club status, which meant that the games we played against other schools didn't count. There were some schools that were kind enough to play against us. However, it didn't affect their record. This year we will be playing 15 games. We will be practicing at Harris Field and Taft High School, both in the Bronx. Our home games will be played at Taft High School. The Coach will be the same as last year, Coach (Norman) Ringel and his assistant will be Coach (Howard) Blitz.
JB: I would hope so. The search is still on for a new A.D. If they find one, I would have no problem going back to my old job as Assistant A.D. I have familiarity with a lot of the responsibilities of the A.D. and am also familiar with the faculty and students. That is an invaluable asset. However, I am still learning the ropes and hope that I can do the best job possible.
Commie: Why was no one else hired? Was a good candidate not found or did no one want the job?
JB: I honestly don't know. I think there was a candidate. But, they did not involve me in the search because it would not have been a good idea for me to be involved in the hiring of my boss. I did, over the summer, what needed to be done for the summer, and if they find someone tomorrow who they think is better suited, I would have no problem giving it up.
Commie: How long do you think you will be here for?
JB: I really don't know. I hope to be able to get through the year and if I do a good job, and I could handle the responsibilities, I would hope that they would hire me as the A.D.
Commie: Why is this the 3rd A.D. in 3 years? Is there something unappealing about the job?
JB: That isn't a fair question. Dr. Zernick was amazing at what he did for 7 years. He had a great relationship with everyone. He was my mentor. He was just ready to retire.
Commie: What would you like to change about the Athletic Department?
JB: I don't know if it is my mandate to change anything. Right now I am only here as an interim A.D. However, my new assistant, Michael Gurock has some great ideas that we hope to implement. I would love to expand interest in all the sports and get more excitement on campus.
Commie: So, if you were given the title of A.D., what changes would you like to make?
JB: I would like to expand the women's program, provide more services to the women. It is a challenge because I don't know how long I will be in this position for. If there is interest, we would like to expand more sports. I am here to be responsive to students' needs and requests. I believe in the Division III philosophy of focusing on the "student athlete." Part of the education process is the experience of playing sports while in school. I understand that with the dual curriculum it is much harder on the students at Yeshiva University than in any other school to participate in sports. Last year the students came to us and said they wanted a baseball team and they got one.
Commie: About the baseball team: There has been much talk about its future. What is its status for the upcoming year?
JB: I am proud to say that we will be fielding a varsity team that will play in the CUNY Conference. Last year it only had club status, which meant that the games we played against other schools didn't count. There were some schools that were kind enough to play against us. However, it didn't affect their record. This year we will be playing 15 games. We will be practicing at Harris Field and Taft High School, both in the Bronx. Our home games will be played at Taft High School. The Coach will be the same as last year, Coach (Norman) Ringel and his assistant will be Coach (Howard) Blitz.