Repository: UIHistories Project: Board of Trustees Minutes - 1942 [PAGE 384]

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UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS

381

generous, provided Mr. Zuppke wished to retire from active coaching and become a consulting coach at Illinois. I advised both Boards that I would not approve such an agreement unless the Coach signed it freely and without any pressure. T h e Board of Trustees voted, with one member dissenting, not to approve the agreement. Later, the Athletic Board, Director Wilson, and Coach Zuppke appeared before the Board of Trustees and discussed all aspects of the matter. Attempts during the intervening period to reconcile differences of opinion and compose the situation growing out of the nonapproval of this agreement have not been successful. T h e best interests of the University of Illinois demand that the Board of Trustees act immediately, and I recommend the following action by the Trustees: 1. That the Board of Trustees recommend to the Board of Directors of the Athletic Association that the By-Laws of the Association be at once amended so as to provide that the Director of Athletics shall not, after the effective date of such amendment, be a member of the Board of Directors. Comment: T h e Director would then have a relation to the Board of Directors substantially analogous to that of the President of the University to the Board of Trustees. 2. That Director Wendell S. Wilson be reappointed ( a ) Director of Intercollegiate Athletics for one year only, from September I, 1941, at his present salary as Director, but on leave of absence subject to call by the President of the University for the performance of such duties as may be assigned to him, at the end of which period his services as Director shall terminate, this appointment to be subject to all provisions of the University of Illinois Statutes; and (b) Associate Professor of Physical Education for Men for one year only, from September 1, 1941, at his present salary as Associate Professor, but on leave of absence subject to call by the President of the University for the performance of such duties as may be assigned to him, provided that he resigns as Associate Professor effective August 31, 1942, this appointment also to be subject to all provisions of the University of Illinois Statutes. 3. That Coach Robert C. Zuppke be reappointed for next year on condition that he retire and become Coach and Professor Emeritus at or before age 65, with the right to enjoy the benefits of the University retirement system then in force as the same may be applicable to full professors; it is agreed that Mr. Zuppke and the President of the University will confer sometime after February 1, but prior to March 1, 1942, and if it shall then appear to the satisfaction of both that because of circumstances and conditions then existing retirement would be advisable, Mr. Zuppke may retire as of September 1, 1942, with the right to enjoy the benefits of the University retirement system then in force as the same may apply to full professors. Sincerely yours, A. C. WtLLARD, President

Mr. Olander reported further that the Board of Directors had unanimously approved recommendation 1 (Director Wilson not voting) ; and that the vote on recommendations 2 and 3 was as follows: for, Mr. Hall, Mr. Hickman, Mr. Olander; against, Mr. Goble, Mr. Richart, Mr. Yapp—Mr. Wilson not voting. The vote was discussed by the individual Directors, and Mr. Olander then stated that inasmuch as there was a deadlock, all the members of the Board of Directors of the Athletic Association submitted their resignations from the Board. Mr. Elliot C. Hasan, an alumnus of the Class of 10,29 and a coach, addressed the Board in favor of the retention of Mr. Zuppke as coach. Mr. Davis, Chairman of the Committee on Athletic Activities, read the following report.