DelSt AD Steps Down

[TexasTerror]

Very short tenure. Didn't even last two years. This resignation will get a good bit of attention in the HBCU world considering Bell was the one who has been an outspoken critic of historically black college athletic conferences and even tried to get Delaware St's program to move to the world of FBS football...
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DSU athletic director to step down
Bel will leave once successor hired; national search begins
The News Journal
Posted Wednesday, April 4, 2007 at 3:32 pm

Delaware State University has commenced a national search for an athletic director after announcing today that Chuck Bell will step down due to personal reasons.

“While we hate to lose Chuck Bell as athletics director, his decision to step down is a clear reflection of the importance he places on his family," DSU president Allen Sessoms said in a press release.

Bell, the historically black college's first white athletic director, was hired in July 2005. He came out of retirement after previously working as athletic director at San Jose State.

During Bell's tenure, DSU installed new turf and lighting at Alumni Stadium, established a women’s equestrian team and upgraded four head coaching posts from part-time to full-time.

http://www.delawareonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070404/SPORTS/70404056

[89Hen]

Doesn't sound like he was forced to leave... "Bell will leave once successor hired"

[Lehigh Football Nation]

Could that article a month ago have had something to do with it, where Bell basically said that they're trying to move away from being an HBCU?

[TexasTerror]

Could that article a month ago have had something to do with it, where Bell basically said that they're trying to move away from being an HBCU?

I think he was hoping for more than he got from the administration...

He was adamant about bringing about changes to the athletic department and the administration would not budge as he wanted, atleast that is what it seems from his desire to get the basketball arena and football enhancements...

[YoUDeeMan]

Bell was told that DSU would move to I-A football. That is the challenge that he sought when he came here.

That was a pipe dream Bell was sold. The Delaware legislature, appropriately, shot down funding for the DSU stadium and Bell realized he was in a different world.

As stated by henfan and a few others, DSU needs to move forward. They will always be playing catch up if some of the old guard make them continue down their old path.

[Green Cookie Monster]

That guy is bad news. He basically ruined the San Jose State program when he was there.

[Mr. C]

Bell was told that DSU would move to I-A football. That is the challenge that he sought when he came here.

That was a pipe dream Bell was sold. The Delaware legislature, appropriately, shot down funding for the DSU stadium and Bell realized he was in a different world.

As stated by henfan and a few others, DSU needs to move forward. They will always be playing catch up if some of the old guard make them continue down their old path.
That grandiose plan had no chance with or without funding from the Delaware legislature. You have to wonder if Bell stepped on some toes, or if he didn't share the same sense of direction as the school officials? It will be fascinating to see what happens next with the never-a-dull-moment Hornets.

[henfan]

Cluck U had it sussed.

Sure Bell stepped on some toes, but those toes needed stamping on. IMO, Bell didn't act or speak outside of the wishes of DSU's CEO and many members of its BoT. He was brought into Dover to do a job and wasn't able to accomplish much of it for a variety of reasons, some having to do with unrealistic expectations of the CEO & BoT and a completely different set of reasons from the backwards-thinking alumni association & their cohorts.

I've never been impressed with Bell, especially before he arrived at DSU. But I'll give Bell credit for saying some things about the state of DSU athletics that really needed to be said.