UWGB athletic director Charles Guthrie reflects on a challenging 2020

GREEN BAY – Charles Guthrie has experienced plenty during his years working in college athletic departments, but 2020 will go down as the most challenging the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay athletic director has faced.

“I'm extremely proud of how everyone associated with the program has come together this year,” said Guthrie, who was hired by UWGB in October 2017. “It's been intense as we’ve had to navigate the fluid nature of the pandemic, the impact of social unrest in Wisconsin and around the country and remain focused on our mission to continue building a championship culture.”

Flipping the calendar to 2021 won’t make everything go away, although the hope is that brighter days are ahead when it comes to the COVID-19 pandemic.

At least for the rest of this season, both UWGB basketball teams will continue to do their part to mitigate the spread of the virus. Both have been successful, although some games have been canceled because of COVID-19 issues with opposing squads.

The women had two contests canceled against Youngstown State, and then had a game against Illinois State wiped out. The men decided not to play at Northern Iowa after a delay in a COVID-19 test result for a tier one individual at UNI.

The UWGB men had one player test positive this summer when they reported back but have since been clean. There is no guarantee it will remain that way the next few months, but protocols have worked well.

“It all starts with Prevea under the leadership of Dr. Ashok Rai in the greater Green Bay community and the direct support they've provided for our campus as a whole and our athletic department,” Guthrie said. “It has been an amazing team effort from our staff, coaches and student-athletes who have all committed to put health and safety above all else.

“This hasn't been easy on anyone, but from the beginning as we addressed what it would take to enable a safe return to play, our teams have bought in and done their part. Another area that has been critical during this unprecedented year is the protocols and support we've put in place to support the mental health and wellness for our student-athletes.”

Slow start

While both basketball teams have been good at steering clear of COVID-19, they haven’t been near as successful on the court.

The men and women enter 2021 with a combined 1-12 record. The men’s 0-8 mark is tied for the program’s worst start to a season, while the women are 1-4 and recently were swept in a two-game series by in-state rival UW-Milwaukee.

Some of this should have been expected.

The men have a new coach in Will Ryan and 11 players getting their first Division I experience.

The women have seven redshirt or true freshmen that account for more than half the roster.

Every college team was hurt with the lack of a normal offseason and no exhibition games, but both UWGB teams might have suffered more than some others.  

“Wins always matter to me, that's just how I'm wired,” Guthrie said. “But I think this year we do have to take a step back and admit we are focused on so much more than wins and loss records. Health and wellness matter, coming together and sacrificing for the greater good of the team is hugely important. More than ever before, this year is about defining our culture, believing in it and understanding why it is so critical to long-term success. I'm proud of both of our teams because I've never seen them play tougher, more together. That says a lot about the leaders of these programs.  

“I also am excited about what's ahead when you see all of the young talent that's on the floor and highly touted recruiting classes we’ve signed. I’m confident that we’ll be better as the season progresses and we’ll continue building a solid foundation to consistently chase Horizon League championships and NCAA tournament bids, year in and year out.”

While they wait for wins, Guthrie is pleased with how much success student-athletes have found in the classroom despite the issues they are dealing with.

As fall grades start to come in, the school appears well positioned to continue its streak of semesters with a department-wide 3.0 grade-point average.

Empty gyms

The Horizon League has not permitted fans at games this winter because of COVID-19, and with two months left in the basketball season it remains to be seen if that will change.

The league is having ongoing discussions with presidents and chancellors from each member school.

Everyone is doing their best to get games played, fans or no fans.

“As men's and women's basketball programs around the country continue to postpone, pause and even cancel play due to positive tests and to try and prevent larger outbreaks, we feel fortunate to compete each and every time we are able to get on the court,” Guthrie said. “Our priority is the health and safety of our teams and, of course, the larger community. The blueprint we've followed so far has put us in the best position to play games.”

There also is a financial hit that has occurred at many schools. Revenue is being lost with no fans in attendance, but Guthrie is optimistic UWGB will get through it. He appreciates the support the school has received from the community, including alumni and fans.

The school is preparing for a “busy winter and spring” with both fall and spring sports set to start in January. UWGB will take the same approach to soccer, softball volleyball, swimming and diving, golf and Nordic ski that it has for basketball.  

“We know it is disappointing to not have the opportunity to attend games and participate,” Guthrie said. “Our student-athletes and coaches are experiencing that same letdown, many playing games for the first time in their careers without their parents or family in attendance. Our promise is to be ready, to come back even stronger when the time does come to welcome Green Bay back to watch their favorite team in action.”

Guthrie was asked if he’s confident jobs within the athletic department are safe and whether all the athletic programs offered can survive the pandemic.

“Like every other type of organization, like higher education overall, collegiate athletic programs around the country are facing immense financial challenges,” he said. “We have a few things working in our favor at Green Bay, including fiscal leadership from the University of Wisconsin system, Chancellor (Michael) Alexander and campus CFO Sheryl Van Gruensven as well as decisions we've made since 2017 to address a structural deficit.

“When you add the ongoing support from our alumni and donors like the recent 41 for 41 campaign which raised new revenue, and our Phoenix Fund Drive which raised $565,000 over three months, I am confident we are positioning the program to be in a strong position when we come out on the other side of the pandemic."