Zenger: New KU chancellor Doug Girod has shown strong interest in supporting athletics

By Matt Tait     May 26, 2017

Nick Krug
Dr. Doug Girod, executive vice chancellor of the KU Medical Center, speaks with media members after being named as the 18th chancellor of the University of Kansas on Thursday, May 25, 2017 at the Lied Center.

Although the biggest roles and responsibilities of newly named University of Kansas chancellor Dr. Doug Girod figure to land well outside of the world of college athletics, KU athletic director Sheahon Zenger said Friday that the university was well positioned for whatever crossover may exist.

“I’ve had the opportunity to work with Dr. Girod since I’ve been here over the past six years and, more specifically, since 2013, during the time that he’s been the executive vice chancellor at the medical school,” Zenger told the Journal-World. “He’s been a valuable colleague during that time as we have worked on issues that pertain to both athletics and the medical school. With both of us being members of the cabinet, I’ve seen him interact at a high level with issues that pertain the University of Kansas at large.”

Introduced Thursday as KU’s 18th chancellor and the successor to Bernadette Gray-Little, Zenger said Girod’s 23 years of service to the university and sincere love of all things KU made him a terrific fit.

Serving as the head of KU’s athletic department since early 2011, Zenger developed a strong bond and often worked closely with Gray-Little, particularly on matters concerning the Big 12 Conference.

While the most sparkling aspects of Girod’s resume seem to highlight his work in the fields of research, academics and medicine, Zenger said he believed KU’s new leader would fill Gray-Little’s shoes in those areas, as well.

“I’ve grown to admire and respect Dr. Girod’s intellect,” Zenger said. “And I see that as being a real asset to carry on Chancellor Gray-Little’s role in the Big 12 Conference meetings.”

Beyond that, Zenger said his early sense was that Girod would be a valuable part of the university’s continuing efforts to grow the athletic department and offer complete support to all of KU’s athletic programs.

Zenger said Girod showed a constant desire to educate himself on the challenges at the many levels of college athletics and with limited opportunity the two leaders developed a strong bond based around their shared interest in making KU the best university it can be.

“During the times when we have worked together, Dr. Girod has demonstrated that he is very supportive of athletic endeavors,” Zenger said. “He always asked the necessary questions about the issues of our time with regard to the NCAA and the needs of the University of Kansas on all things athletics and I am looking forward to continuing to partner with him in that manner.”

PREV POST

Texas defeats Kansas, 5-4, in Big 12 baseball tournament

NEXT POST

50700Zenger: New KU chancellor Doug Girod has shown strong interest in supporting athletics

Author Photo

Written By Matt Tait

A native of Colorado, Matt moved to Lawrence in 1988 and has been in town ever since. He graduated from Lawrence High in 1996 and the University of Kansas in 2000 with a degree in Journalism. After covering KU sports for the University Daily Kansan and Rivals.com, Matt joined the World Company (and later Ogden Publications) in 2001 and has held several positions with the paper and KUsports.com in the past 20+ years. He became the Journal-World Sports Editor in 2018. Throughout his career, Matt has won several local and national awards from both the Associated Press Sports Editors and the Kansas Press Association. In 2021, he was named the Kansas Sportswriter of the Year by the National Sports Media Association. Matt lives in Lawrence with his wife, Allison, and two daughters, Kate and Molly. When he's not covering KU sports, he likes to spend his time playing basketball and golf, listening to and writing music and traveling the world with friends and family.