July 16, 2008

Myles Brand, President, NCAA:
“Notre Dame should be congratulated for reaching into its very talent-rich alumni bank to make this hire. Jack Swarbrick’s extraordinary skills have been apparent to the city of Indianapolis and to the NCAA for some time. He has successfully managed large, complex projects on numerous occasions; indeed, he always exceeds expectations. I predict the Notre Dame faithful will discover they have a real gem.”

Thomas W. Jernstedt, Executive Vice-President, NCAA
“On every project I have worked with Jack – including hosting Men’s Final Fours, the relocation of the NCAA to Indianapolis, his work with national governing bodies and Olympic sports, and his most recent assistance in our new youth basketball partnership with the NBA – he has demonstrated he is an extremely bright, creative, versatile and visionary leader. Over many years, Jack has been a great asset to intercollegiate athletics, and I am confident that in his new role the University of Notre Dame, the NCAA and all of college sports will be enhanced through his increased day-to-day participation and leadership in the enterprise.”

Wallace I. Renfro, Vice-President and Senior Advisor to the President, NCAA:
“It is intercollegiate athletics’ good fortune that Notre Dame has tapped one of its alums and one of Indiana’s favorite sons to be its new athletics director. Jack’s abilities to both listen and lead, to negotiate and make the tough decision, to set expectations and motivate for maximum results have made him one of the architects of change and growth for Indianapolis, central Indiana and beyond. His creativity and communication skills have inspired numerous organizations to achieve new levels of greatness, and Notre Dame is about to reap the benefits of all those talents.”

Bill Polian, President, Indianapolis Colts:
“Notre Dame has hired one of the most outstanding individuals I’ve ever had the pleasure to work with or know. Jack is supremely talented, supremely gifted and has an incredible knowledge of a wide variety of sports. Coupled with his legal background, I can’t imagine a man who is any more qualified than Jack for the job. I join with his legion of friends in wishing him nothing but the best as he embarks on this new chapter in his life.”

Tony Dungy, Head Coach, Indianapolis Colts:
“I commend Notre Dame on the hiring of Jack Swarbrick as athletic director. At the same time, I congratulate Jack for this outstanding opportunity at one of the nation’s premier institutions. I have had the privilege of working with Jack and enjoying his company on many occasions. I know his abilities as a professional and a person will benefit the university greatly.”

Jim Delany, Commissioner, Big Ten Conference:
“Jack is a superb professional who has spent his career in law, business and athletics. He’s had interest in a position like this for the past few years, and this seems like a perfect fit for both the institution and the individual.”

Mitch Daniels, Governor, State of Indiana:
“Notre Dame was wise to land Jack Swarbrick before someone else did. His sports experience and business skills are proven and obvious, but in particular it’s his ethics and integrity that make him a perfect match for this assignment as steward of the values that make Notre Dame unique.”

Larry Williams, Athletics and Recreation Director, University of Portland; 1984 Notre Dame Football Captain; 1985 Notre Dame Graduate:
“Notre Dame showed brilliance in hiring Jack Swarbrick as its next athletic director. Jack is an incredibly strategic and creative thinker who happens to also be an incredibly hard worker. He has a long track record of using those skills to achieve success in the sports industry. As an alum and former student-athlete, I am very excited to have him leading the Notre Dame athletic department.”

Chuck Wielgus, Executive Director, USA Swimming:
“Jack Swarbrick is both a visionary and a pragmatist. He is a thoughtful leader who will challenge others to change, while simultaneously exhibiting an appreciation for Notre Dame’s rich history and traditions. In so many ways, Jack is the perfect choice to lead Notre Dame athletics into the future.”

Mark Miles, President/CEO, Central Indiana Corporate Partnership:
“I’ve know Jack well and worked closely with him since 1985. He’s the perfect person for the job. First, he loves Notre Dame and he has lived his life in a way that reflects the values of the institution, because that is the essential nature of his character. Second, he has the technical skills and capabilities to excel in the job and to ensure that the Irish athletic program continues to set the highest standards for college athletics. Indianapolis’ loss is Notre Dame’s gain. We are grateful for all he has done for Indianapolis and we look forward to following his success in South Bend.”

Joe Kernan, President, South Bend Silver Hawks; Former Governor, State of Indiana; Former Mayor, City of South Bend; 1968 Notre Dame Graduate:
“Jack is very smart and is highly respected by everyone that I know who has dealt with him. I’ve seen him in action and he knows what he’s doing. He has a great sense of humor. He gets things done and done the right way. He loves Notre Dame. I think he will be a great fit for this job at Notre Dame as well as in the community. Jack is a great choice.”

Max L. Siegel, President Of Global Operations, Dale Earnhardt Inc; 1986 Notre Dame Graduate; 1992 Notre Dame Law School Graduate:
“Jack Swarbrick will be a tremendous asset to the Notre Dame athletic program. He is a proven leader, a strategic thinker and a team player. Jack’s unique skill set, vast experience in amateur and professional sports, as well as his vision will both sustain and enhance Notre Dame’s position as a leader in college athletics.”

Frank Supovitz, Senior Vice President, Events-National Football League:
“Through his work on Super Bowl XLVI and the 2007 NFL Kickoff, Jack Swarbrick has been a tremendous ambassador for Indianapolis and a great friend to the NFL. His experience and expertise in the world of sport will be invaluable assets to Notre Dame.”

Jeff Smulyan, President, Emmis Communications:
“This is absolutely terrific news. I can’t imagine Notre Dame picking someone with more knowledge, integrity and passion for this job than Jack Swarbrick. As a USC alum, it is the only possible decision Notre Dame could ever make to almost make me switch allegiances. Seriously, Jack Swarbrick is a first class human being, with a first class mind and Notre Dame will be proud to have him representing the university. Congratulations on a brilliant choice.”

Michael O’Hara Lynch, Head of Global Sponsorship Management, Visa Inc.; 1979 Notre Dame Graduate:
“Jack Swarbrick is the perfect choice to lead the University of Notre Dame athletics in the many years to come. No one is more knowledgeable or highly regarded in the world of college sports than Jack. In addition to being a great human being of sound character, he is one of the smartest people in the business. As a proud alumnus, I couldn’t be more thrilled for the future of Notre Dame athletics. Notre Dame just finished number one in national recruiting with the selection of Jack Swarbrick as athletic director! Now, can Jack also play on our defensive line?”

Jim Morris, President, Indiana Pacers:
“Jack Swarbrick is a remarkably able person. He has that wonderful combination of great intellect, strong work ethic and a humanitarian’s heart. He loves athletic competition and is completely committed to the value of sports for the student and the institution. Notre Dame made a brilliant choice in selecting Jack in that he is a values-driven person and Notre Dame stands for faith, integrity, things right and always putting the student’s wellbeing first. Because of what Notre Dame is, Jack and his University colleagues will make a monumental contribution to the quality and genuine significance of the collegiate athletic experience. This is double good fortune in that Jack is a graduate of Notre Dame.”

Casey Wasserman, Chairman & CEO, Wasserman Media Group, LLC
“Jack’s leadership, integrity and pure love of sports is a tremendous benefit to both Notre Dame and college sports fans everywhere. The breadth and depth of his institutional knowledge alone will advance athletics at what is already one of the nation’s most legendary and spirited intuitions.”