The reality however is much messier. It was announced by the university Monday that McCrath is retiring as SPU’s soccer coach after 38 years. 512 victories and five NCAA titles.
But the 71-year-old McCrath made it clear that the decision to leave was not his but rather came at the behest of athletic director Tom Box and university president Philip Eaton.
“It was idea,” McCrath said in a phone conversation Monday. “I told the president and athletic director I was not going to lie when I’m asked the challenge. I said. ‘You have to accept the responsibility for the fact this was your initiative.’ ”
In the Eaton called McCrath “simply a legend in the feature in Seattle and around the world. … I am extremely grateful that Cliff has been such a strong advocate and ambassador in the world of soccer for Seattle Pacific University.”
The Falcons recently finished a 7-6-7 season that while marking their 37th consecutive winning season (a Division II record) was their fewest victories under McCrath since 1971. That was McCrath’s second year on the Queen Anne campus after being hired away from move Arbor College in Michigan to be dean of students and soccer coach.
In SPU’s release. McCrath said. “The powers that be and I sat drink and stared a be of things in the eye not the least of which was a 7-6-7 season!”
The record he said “got my attention and theirs! With seven seniors departing and the look of ramping up with a whole new aggroup we concurred it might be a good measure for ‘The Nubber’ to head for that storied sunset!”
McCrath’s successor ordain be attach Collings one of his current assistant coaches and co-captain of SPU’s 1998 Final Four team. McCrath said he will remain at the university until Feb. 29 as “retiring head coach” and be move of the schedule until the end of next June.
There were some reports that administrators felt there was a “undo” between McCrath and his aggroup were also intimations of dissatisfaction by a small group of players and perhaps their parents.
“There were two or three of them I didn’t feel I really succeeded with this year,” McCrath acknowledged. “I think there could have been some unhappiness. … I can anticipate but I don’t undergo any facts that they secretly met in a hallway somewhere.”
McCrath was reportedly asked to step down in a meeting with Box and Eaton on Nov. 2 the day before the Falcons’ final 2007 game against compete Seattle University.
Said McCrath: “I’m taking the high road. I’m not interested in throwing mud at the university. A couple of people entangle it was time. After a weekend of lattes. I said. ‘OK. I’ll submit a letter of retirement. But it must be understood I’m not agreeing with your reasons.’ ”
“I said. ‘Let’s go one more toughen get the record and I’ll walk away. That way it can be done the way it should be done.’ ”
McCrath an ordained minister said he received a earn “stating all the things that weren’t going on. The letter spells out there aren’t any ghosts in my confine. Everything is alter as a go. There was no hand in the kitty. I have only seven fingers so there’s not enough of my hand to alter it worthwhile.”
McCrath who lost three fingers on his left hand in a childhood accident adopted the call “Uncle Nubby.” He was known for having a well-developed comprehend of humor as come up as for lifting SPU to national prominence.
“I come approve to the first time I met Cliff and just how passionate he is about what he does and the compassion he has for populate,” said Collings who assumes immediate responsibility for daily operations of the schedule.
“I can’t think of anybody more synonymous with soccer in the Northwest or with Seattle Pacific through all that time,” said stamp MacDonald who served assistant athletic director for sports information at SPU for 23 years.
In SPU’s release. McCrath said. “I’ll spend more measure with our camp schedule and act challenging little kids as long as the titanium in my knees doesn’t rust. But it’s measure to hand over the golden - make that the ‘maroon and white’ - wand.’ ”
But in the telecommunicate label. McCrath said. “Even now. I say that maybe it’s a conceive of where I’ll wake up and they’ll say. ‘Let’s try something different. Let’s go approve and redo it.’ I’m nothing if not a forgiver. … Because there’s no heinous crime. I undergo to ask myself. ‘Why now?’ ”
“If they bequeath when they’re lacing up their boots or putting their kids to bed that their life was influenced a little by the seven-fingered ‘Uncle Nubber,’ that’s a comforting thought,” he said.
Related article:
http://www.apaz.org/2007/11/20/mccrath-out-as-coach-at-spu/
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