I spoke to Morehead State University Athletic Director Brian Hutchinson tonight. Brian became Morehead State's ninth Director of Athletics on March 1, 2005 after spending five years as Associate Director of Athletics and six months as interim director. He is one of the youngest athletic professionals to ever serve as a Division I Director of Athletics. He has spent his entire professional career at his alma mater.
Tonight, Brian is in Dayton enjoying the Eagles' run to the NCAA Tournament. I spoke to Brian tonight for a quick Q & A about Morehead State Basketball.
Brian, let me start by saying thanks for taking a few minutes to talk with me. Obviously, the hot topic around Morehead State right now is the men’s basketball team. How does it make you feel to see the Eagles back in the NCAA Tournament for the first time in 25 years?
It feels rewarding. We spent a lot of time getting our program right and getting it competitive. The key was hiring Coach Tyndall. He and I worked together to decide what we needed to do to be a successful, competitive Division I program. There has been so much going on behind the scenes that most people do not see. It is very rewarding.
What were your thoughts on being selected to open the tournament in the play-in game last night in Dayton?
For me, playing in this game offered some real advantages. Number one, it means we are playing in the NCAA Tournament and that speaks for itself. Secondly, it was easy for our fans to travel to the game as it is only about a two-and-a-half hour trip to Dayton from Morehead. We also had many fans and alumni in the Northern Kentucky and Ohio area that came to the game.
Also, coming into this game as a conference champion gave our team the confidence that comes with being a champion. It was an opportunity to play on Tuesday as the only tournament game being aired nationally. The media exposure was have been very positive and we have gained invaluable exposure on television and radio.
Opening against Alabama State gave the Eagles an opportunity to pick up an NCAA Tournament win. Do you feel that the play-in game was an advantage for the program as opposed to playing a North Carolina or a Pittsburgh in the first game?
Just having an NCAA Tournament opportunity is a great chance for our team to embrace the experience. It is just so meaningful to the players, coaches, fans and staff members. We have gone all out and treated our players like they would treat them at Connecticut. We have treated our kids with first class the whole way.
I have noticed a significant increase in fan interest and support in Eagle athletics lately, particularly following the success of the basketball team. What has this team meant to the university and the town of Morehead this season?
There is nothing like having a successful Division I basketball program to boost interest in your programs. Nothing can generate a high level of fan support like the basketball team. There has already been a tremendous interest level in season tickets for next year. We hope to see a spike in MSU enrollment and giving. We will be measuring such numbers as applications and giving levels. Those are things that we can really put a number on and evaluate.
There is plenty of talk throughout the media and general public about how hard Donnie Tyndall works to make his program succeed. As the Athletics Director, how impressed have you been with what Coach Tyndall has accomplished in his three years as the Eagles’ coach?
I hired him so I had a certain level of expectations for what he would accomplish for us. I think that he and I both would tell you that three years would have been a little ambitious for getting back to the NCAA Tournament. We had to find the players to do what we wanted to do and we had to set the tone for what Morehead State basketball needed to be. We’re tickled to death to be in the NCAA Tournament in only three years. This is also only the third time ever that our program has won twenty or more games.
Kenneth Faried is another Eagle name that has been mentioned numerous times across local and national media. He is one of the top rebounders in the nation and the OVC’s Defensive Player of the year. What has Kenneth meant to the Morehead program?
Kenneth has been the cornerstone of our quick rebuilding efforts. He plays with a tremendous level of heart, energy and skill. Coach (Tyndall) put the sale on him to get him to Morehead all the way from New Jersey and it worked. Kenneth has really embraced the opportunity to come to our school and succeed. He is just a great young man.
What type of potential do you think Kenneth has for next season and beyond?
He has a great opportunity to finish second in the nation in rebounding this season behind Blake Griffin. If Griffin goes pro, that will give Kenneth two seasons to potentially lead the nation in rebounding. He is going to be the top-returning player in the OVC next season and will have the opportunity to be the OVC Player of the Year for two more seasons. He will have two more seasons to be nationally recognized.
What do Eagle fans need to do if they would like to travel to Dayton Friday night to watch the game?
They will most likely have to look at a ticket reseller. The game is sold out at this point as far as I know. We have sold all of our allotment of 500 tickets. It is going to be doubly difficult because of all the local teams that will be playing here. You have Ohio State, Louisville, Morehead State and East Tennessee State all playing here and they are all bringing plenty of fans. You can probably find them on the Internet or maybe just enjoy the game on television.
Brian, it has been great talking with you. This is a very exciting time for the Morehead State Eagles. Let me finish by saying that I think you’re doing an excellent job directing the school’s athletic programs. As a Morehead State graduate, I can say that I am proud to be an Eagle supporter. Good luck against the Louisville Cardinals Friday night.
Thank you for the interview and thank you for doing your blog. It is great to have a blog that keeps track of all the schools in the state and not only the two big schools. I think it looks great and I haven’t seen anyone that does it any better.
It feels rewarding. We spent a lot of time getting our program right and getting it competitive. The key was hiring Coach Tyndall. He and I worked together to decide what we needed to do to be a successful, competitive Division I program. There has been so much going on behind the scenes that most people do not see. It is very rewarding.
What were your thoughts on being selected to open the tournament in the play-in game last night in Dayton?
For me, playing in this game offered some real advantages. Number one, it means we are playing in the NCAA Tournament and that speaks for itself. Secondly, it was easy for our fans to travel to the game as it is only about a two-and-a-half hour trip to Dayton from Morehead. We also had many fans and alumni in the Northern Kentucky and Ohio area that came to the game.
Also, coming into this game as a conference champion gave our team the confidence that comes with being a champion. It was an opportunity to play on Tuesday as the only tournament game being aired nationally. The media exposure was have been very positive and we have gained invaluable exposure on television and radio.
Opening against Alabama State gave the Eagles an opportunity to pick up an NCAA Tournament win. Do you feel that the play-in game was an advantage for the program as opposed to playing a North Carolina or a Pittsburgh in the first game?
Just having an NCAA Tournament opportunity is a great chance for our team to embrace the experience. It is just so meaningful to the players, coaches, fans and staff members. We have gone all out and treated our players like they would treat them at Connecticut. We have treated our kids with first class the whole way.
I have noticed a significant increase in fan interest and support in Eagle athletics lately, particularly following the success of the basketball team. What has this team meant to the university and the town of Morehead this season?
There is nothing like having a successful Division I basketball program to boost interest in your programs. Nothing can generate a high level of fan support like the basketball team. There has already been a tremendous interest level in season tickets for next year. We hope to see a spike in MSU enrollment and giving. We will be measuring such numbers as applications and giving levels. Those are things that we can really put a number on and evaluate.
There is plenty of talk throughout the media and general public about how hard Donnie Tyndall works to make his program succeed. As the Athletics Director, how impressed have you been with what Coach Tyndall has accomplished in his three years as the Eagles’ coach?
I hired him so I had a certain level of expectations for what he would accomplish for us. I think that he and I both would tell you that three years would have been a little ambitious for getting back to the NCAA Tournament. We had to find the players to do what we wanted to do and we had to set the tone for what Morehead State basketball needed to be. We’re tickled to death to be in the NCAA Tournament in only three years. This is also only the third time ever that our program has won twenty or more games.
Kenneth Faried is another Eagle name that has been mentioned numerous times across local and national media. He is one of the top rebounders in the nation and the OVC’s Defensive Player of the year. What has Kenneth meant to the Morehead program?
Kenneth has been the cornerstone of our quick rebuilding efforts. He plays with a tremendous level of heart, energy and skill. Coach (Tyndall) put the sale on him to get him to Morehead all the way from New Jersey and it worked. Kenneth has really embraced the opportunity to come to our school and succeed. He is just a great young man.
What type of potential do you think Kenneth has for next season and beyond?
He has a great opportunity to finish second in the nation in rebounding this season behind Blake Griffin. If Griffin goes pro, that will give Kenneth two seasons to potentially lead the nation in rebounding. He is going to be the top-returning player in the OVC next season and will have the opportunity to be the OVC Player of the Year for two more seasons. He will have two more seasons to be nationally recognized.
What do Eagle fans need to do if they would like to travel to Dayton Friday night to watch the game?
They will most likely have to look at a ticket reseller. The game is sold out at this point as far as I know. We have sold all of our allotment of 500 tickets. It is going to be doubly difficult because of all the local teams that will be playing here. You have Ohio State, Louisville, Morehead State and East Tennessee State all playing here and they are all bringing plenty of fans. You can probably find them on the Internet or maybe just enjoy the game on television.
Brian, it has been great talking with you. This is a very exciting time for the Morehead State Eagles. Let me finish by saying that I think you’re doing an excellent job directing the school’s athletic programs. As a Morehead State graduate, I can say that I am proud to be an Eagle supporter. Good luck against the Louisville Cardinals Friday night.
Thank you for the interview and thank you for doing your blog. It is great to have a blog that keeps track of all the schools in the state and not only the two big schools. I think it looks great and I haven’t seen anyone that does it any better.
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