SEATTLE — Barbara Hedges’ eyes glistened only slightly as she read the text of her retirement announcement Friday.
The University of Washington athletic director spoke proudly of her many accomplishments over her 12 1/2-year tenure. Still, she acknowledged that the events of the past six months — the firing and subsequent lawsuit of former head football coach Rick Neuheisel and the accusations involving former UW physician William Scheyer over the distribution of prescription drugs to UW student-athletes — ultimately led to her decision to step down.
"I am making this decision now with the hopes that the focus on the program can return to where it belongs — on coaches, student-athletes and their exceptional accomplishments," said Hedges, 66.
Her retirement goes into effect Jan. 16 instead of June 30, her original target date.
She made the announcement with only a hint of emotion in front of scores of members of the media, boosters, coaches and athletes at the Don James Center. Not once did her voice waver. Not once did she break, a symbol of Hedges’ strength and single-mindedness to many of those in attendance.
"She’s a very strong person," UW head men’s basketball coach Lorenzo Romar said. "In dealing with these things, she says she’s the leader and takes responsibility for everything that hasn’t gone well. But as a leader, there are some things that happen that you can’t control."
Dick Thompson, retiring director of government relations at the UW, will serve as the interim athletic director. Thompson is an Everett native, who, in addition to many other governmental positions in his career, served as city manager or city attorney for the cities of Snohomish, Everett and Puyallup from 1970 to 1985.
Interim university president Lee Huntsman said a national search for Hedges’ replacement would begin shortly.
"I expect it to be a very attractive position," Huntsman said.
Hedges’ announcement came as little surprise to those close to the athletic department and was met with respectful appreciation.
"Barbara is one of the most highly respected athletics directors in the country and has been a pioneer for women in responsible positions in intercollegiate athletics," University of Georgia athletic director Vince Dooley said. "I know of no one more respected nationally as an athletics director. She’s been a friend and a confidante of mine for many years and I hold her in the highest esteem."
Hedges said she would be available to the university to help in the ongoing investigations and upcoming lawsuits. Asked whether she is fleeing because of the recent controversies, Hedges denied it, saying that her early retirement was a natural move to return the spotlight on athletics themselves and not on "Hedges vs. Neuheisel" or "Hedges vs. Scheyer."
"It was plain to me that this is what I needed to and that this was best for the university," she said.
UW women’s soccer coach Lesle Gallimore said she, herself, would do the same.
"She’s not running," Gallimore said. "The Dr. Scheyer scandal and the Rick Neuheisel situation had become full-time jobs for her. She’s had to cut her job down because those had taken up so much of her time. So she’s going to do that part of it and leave here, hopefully, with the legacy she deserves, which is an athletic director that has done a terrific job for 12 1/2 years at a tremendous school."
Hedges is known as an enthusiastic and effective fundraiser and hands-on leader who oversaw massive facilities upgrades of more than $100 million, improved the graduation rates for Washington’s student-athletes and got the department in the black with a $10 million reserve.
The UW athletic department, which does not receive state money or student fees, yielded positive revenue in 11 of her 12 years, including a $3.6 million surplus for 2002-03.
When Hedges accepted the position in 1991, the athletic department’s annual budget was $18.1 million. It now stands at $39 million.
"Her leadership and direction has allowed tremendous growth and success on a national basis in the women’s basketball program at Washington, both academically and athletically," UW women’s head basketball coach June Daugherty said. "Barbara’s commitment toward each and every student to experience a well-balanced and supportive experience on and off the court has been nothing short of amazing."
Facilities prior to the Hedges era were substandard for a major NCAA Division I athletic program. Those facilities now are among the best in the country, with plans for future upgrades still in progress. Perhaps the crown jewel was the $40 million renovation of Hec Edmundson Pavilion.
Hedges also was responsible for the construction of Dempsey Indoor, Husky Softball Stadium, Husky Ballpark, Husky Soccer Stadium, the renovation of Conibear Shellhouse, the Husky Hall of Fame and the East End Practice Field.
Hedges also negotiated the contract with Washington National Golf Club, which serves as the home for the UW golf teams.
"Barbara has done a marvelous job in terms of getting us current with our facilities and with getting us all that we have to offer our student-athletes," UW head football coach Keith Gilbertson said. "I hope everyone understands and appreciates that. I truly value all the work she’s done."
Still, Hedges’ detractors criticize her on two main issues. One, that her desire to make every athletic program in the department competitive came at the expense of the football program, the cash cow that financially feeds most of the other programs.
Two, critics will put the controversies of the past six months squarely at Hedges’ feet.
"Certainly, I would hope that that’s not the case, rather, that they put the whole thing in perspective," Hedges said. "I would hope that you look at 12 1/2 years, not just six months. I believe that, if people step back and look at the total picture, that’s what they will see.
"There are visible reminders of what this program has done, whether it’s what the athletes have done on the field, the buildings we have built and the commitments that we’ve made."
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