Vince Tyra's warm embrace a good step after Tom Jurich's cold shoulder
Thank heavens he’s gone.
Who could imagine Louisville City FC hosting U.S. Open Cup soccer games in its hometown if Tom Jurich still had his iron grip on the University of Louisville athletics department?
The guy did an impressive job building the sports program, but he certainly didn’t do much to build relationships between the school and the city.
Nope. Vince Tyra, the man who replaced Jurich, has him hands down when it comes to not just looking out for the athletic department but also looking out for the community that has given the school so much support over the years.
The fact that Tyra is a part-owner of the Louisville City franchise is a bit troublesome because he stands to benefit from the team playing in town rather than on the road. But he's just one of 47 investors in the team, which doesn't stand to make much money off the limited number of games being played at U of L.
That said, when Louisville City FC takes the field Wednesday at U of L’s Dr. Mark and Cindy Lynn Stadium against Nashville SC, it will be quite simply because Jurich is gone.
The team can’t play its Open Cup games at its normal home because Louisville Slugger Field isn’t large enough for a regulation pitch.
In the past, when Louisville FC was looking for a field, Jurich told them no way. They'd tear up the field. And he sent them packing.
One year, they cut a deal to play a game at the University of Kentucky in Lexington if they made it that far in the tournament. A loss in an earlier round saved the city of Louisville the indignity of having to be bailed out by UK.
Jurich's hard-line stance on practice times and game dates at the Yum Center also made the uphill battle the city faces in drawing an NBA team to Louisville nearly impossible.
Tyra’s early actions suggest that he sees benefits in working with others and is willing to do things that will benefit the community. While allowing Louisville City to play three games at Lynn Stadium helps the city’s professional soccer team, it also benefits Louisville financially and brings attention to its soccer program.
Jurich was consumed by winning — that’s not a bad quality to have in an athletic director.
But unlike Jurich, Tyra seems to understand that a win for someone else doesn’t necessarily mean a loss for him.
That’s a welcome change.
Thank heavens he’s here.
Joseph Gerth's opinion column runs on most Sundays and at various times throughout the week. He can be reached at 502-582-4702 or by email at jgerth@courierjournal.com. Support strong local journalism by subscribing today: www.courier-journal.com/josephg.
https://www.courier-journal.com/sto...a-welcome-change-tom-jurich-column/713198002/
Thank heavens he’s gone.
Who could imagine Louisville City FC hosting U.S. Open Cup soccer games in its hometown if Tom Jurich still had his iron grip on the University of Louisville athletics department?
The guy did an impressive job building the sports program, but he certainly didn’t do much to build relationships between the school and the city.
Nope. Vince Tyra, the man who replaced Jurich, has him hands down when it comes to not just looking out for the athletic department but also looking out for the community that has given the school so much support over the years.
The fact that Tyra is a part-owner of the Louisville City franchise is a bit troublesome because he stands to benefit from the team playing in town rather than on the road. But he's just one of 47 investors in the team, which doesn't stand to make much money off the limited number of games being played at U of L.
That said, when Louisville City FC takes the field Wednesday at U of L’s Dr. Mark and Cindy Lynn Stadium against Nashville SC, it will be quite simply because Jurich is gone.
The team can’t play its Open Cup games at its normal home because Louisville Slugger Field isn’t large enough for a regulation pitch.
In the past, when Louisville FC was looking for a field, Jurich told them no way. They'd tear up the field. And he sent them packing.
One year, they cut a deal to play a game at the University of Kentucky in Lexington if they made it that far in the tournament. A loss in an earlier round saved the city of Louisville the indignity of having to be bailed out by UK.
Jurich's hard-line stance on practice times and game dates at the Yum Center also made the uphill battle the city faces in drawing an NBA team to Louisville nearly impossible.
Tyra’s early actions suggest that he sees benefits in working with others and is willing to do things that will benefit the community. While allowing Louisville City to play three games at Lynn Stadium helps the city’s professional soccer team, it also benefits Louisville financially and brings attention to its soccer program.
Jurich was consumed by winning — that’s not a bad quality to have in an athletic director.
But unlike Jurich, Tyra seems to understand that a win for someone else doesn’t necessarily mean a loss for him.
That’s a welcome change.
Thank heavens he’s here.
Joseph Gerth's opinion column runs on most Sundays and at various times throughout the week. He can be reached at 502-582-4702 or by email at jgerth@courierjournal.com. Support strong local journalism by subscribing today: www.courier-journal.com/josephg.
https://www.courier-journal.com/sto...a-welcome-change-tom-jurich-column/713198002/
