Michigan AD Bill Martin, aka Pushy McPusherson, is not to be trifled with by the help. AP reports today that on two separate occasions during Michigan football games this season, Martin got slightly physical with press box attendants who didn’t recognize him and asked to see a pass. He pushed the shoulder of one, a woman, and grabbed the jacket of another.
Key quote: “Honey, I am the athletic director.”
I’m not saying the two are in any way related, but three days after the latter incident (which occurred on Oct. 17), Martin announced his retirement.
From USA TODAY:
Michigan student Jackie Turner says she told Martin that he needed a pass to enter the regents guest area of the press box Sept. 12 during a game against Notre Dame. She said he pushed her shoulder and walked past her.
“Honey, I am the athletic director,” Turner quoted him as saying, according to a university report on the incident.
On Oct. 17, Eastern Michigan student Arif Khan said he told Martin and a female companion that they needed passes to enter the regents guest area after a game against Delaware State. Khan said Martin grabbed his jacket.
“I am the athletic director. I can go in,” Khan quoted Martin as saying.
Martin addressed the situation on Monday night.
“I contacted those involved to discuss the situation and express my regret,” Martin said in a statement released by the school Monday night. “I know they were just doing their jobs.
Analysis: Michigan security needs to get bigger in the press box. Stationing willowy student coeds and Martin Short lookalikes at the entrance of your important regent areas seems very short-sighted; a mistake that not even Rich Rodriguez would make. And he’s lost five of his last six. See the photo above? If that guy is physically bullying you, you need to overhaul your entire security plan.
It’s good to know, however, that if you want to enter any area in the Michigan sports complex, just say you’re the athletic director and bull on through.
Martin will retire in Sept., 2010.
Domino’s Pizza CEO David Brandon, a former Michigan football player and regent at the school, is among the candidates to succeed Martin.
Michigan alumni are a bit concerned that a pizza mogul may be taking the reins of their teams. Hey, it worked for the Detroit Red Wings.
