Goss to be highest paid Big Ten AD

New Athletic Director Tom Goss will receive the largest paycheck of any Big Ten director, but colleagues say Goss' talents merit the salary.

Goss' salary will total $220,000. The highest salary in the conference last year was $198,848. Goss said his business experience accounts for the difference in his salary.

"I don't know what other Big Ten athletic directors are making," Goss said. "I come from a different world."

Goss

Goss has served as vice president for sales of Faygo Beverages, executive vice president and general manager of National Beverage Corp.'s Western Shasco Division and president and chief operating officer of PIA Merchandising.

Former Athletic Director Joe Roberson's base salary for last year was around $175,000. But because of a bonus system, which grants awards based on student graduation rates and the success of athletic teams, Roberson earned an extra $12,000-15,000, reaching a total salary of $185,556.

If he stayed in the post of athletic director, Roberson probably would have made close to $190,000.

"Around the Big Ten, Joe was not the top," Bollinger said. "I believe the top salary in the Big Ten is somewhere between $200,000 and $210,000 for this year, maybe even higher. Plus, many athletic directors get all kinds bonuses, country club memberships and cars.

"I am just very comfortable with putting as much compensation as possible in the form of salary. It is open and up front," he said.

Bollinger said that considering Goss' qualifications and the fact that he was taking a pay cut to come to the University, he decided Goss was worth the extra money.

"Given that he would start right away, which was imperative given the state of the program, it was an easy question for me," Bollinger said.

Senior Associate Athletic Director Keith Molin said that Goss' salary fits into a fair compensation system at the University.

"If you look at what Mr. Goss is getting paid in comparison to other senior officials in the University, it is part of a system and is very fair," Molin said. "I think it is very public and very open.

"The salary that has been afforded to Mr. Goss is appropriate to the responsibilities attended to this job. I think it's a fair reflection of the price you pay for an outstanding record," Molin said.

Bollinger has an annual salary of $260,000. Provost Nancy Cantor earns $230,000 a year. The median salary for a full professor at the University is $88,000.

Goss has been in office for two "hectic" days.

"You need to find out where you are and what you have," Goss said. "I started at the press conference and went from there to meeting everyone in the Athletic Department. And I mean everyone - from coaches and assistant coaches to janitors. I met with them primarily to give them my vision."

09-12-97