The University of Colorado is looking for their next Athletic Director following last week’s announcement that current AD Rick George will be retiring at the end of the Academic year.
Could they turn to one of their most famous alumni to take the job?
Jeremy Bloom, the former two-sport standout who made national news back in the early 2000’s (pre-Name, Image and Likeness rules) when he battled the NCAA for the right to remain a member of the CU Buffs football team while still competing as a world-class ski racer for Team USA.
Bloom ultimately lost his court battle in 2004 and missed his senior football season after choosing to remain on Team USA – where he was forced to raise his own funding via endorsement deals. It was ruled that while he could be a professional in one sport and still compete as an amateur in another, he could not collect endorsement money in any sport and maintain his college eligibility.
Bloom was a wide receiver and dynamic kick returner at CU, where he was a freshman All-America selection as a return specialist. He still holds the school record for combined kick return yards in a single game. He was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles in 2006 and played briefly with the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2007.
At 15-years-old, he was the youngest male freestyle skier ever to qualify for the US Ski team. He went on to make his name on the ski slopes where he became a World Champion, 11-time World Cup Gold Medalist and a two-time Olympian.
Bloom, still only 43 years old, has been in a force in the business world since retiring as a professional athlete. He’s currently the CEO of the X-Games and has previously run a fund-raising non-profit and worked in the Tech field. James Carnes of Sports Illustrated noted, “his skills as a CEO, fundraiser, and innovator—mixed with non-profit success at Wish of a Lifetime—gives him a broad appeal for the CU Athletic Director position.”
Bloom has no prior experience in college athletic administration. While that would have likely been disqualifying in a previous era, his experience raising large sums of money would now fulfill the biggest need that goes with the job.
Bloom remains a ardent supporter of his alma mater, and has endorsed former CU linebacker and Denver Broncos front office executive Matt Russell for the position. In a previous era, Russell’s experience as an assistant under General Manager John Elway would have made him a favorite for the position. However, with raising money now the top priority of every Athletic Director – Russell has no background in fund raising – is unlikely to get the job.
In addition, Russell would bring some unwanted baggage to the interview process, having been convicted of a highly publicized DUI back in 2014 while still with the Broncos front office.
On the other hand, Bloom has the kind of experience and name recognition to be able to connect with all of Colorado’s potential donors locally and nationally. He remains the golden boy among CU faithful. It’s hard to imagine he wouldn’t get the job if he wants it.
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