Graphic: Kyle Maier
BY KYLE MAIER, SPORTS EDITOR
Bob Beretta, St. Bonaventure’s director of intercollegiate athletics, revealed today that Adrian Wojnarowski reached out to him with interest in the men’s basketball general manager position despite being one of the highest-paid figures at ESPN.
“Woj was instrumental in helping me begin the search for a general manager position,” said Beretta. “But one day he called me and asked ‘Would you think I’m crazy if I told you I would be interested in the position?’ I said ‘Woj, I don’t know your contract terms, I think you might be crazy, but I will be happy to talk to you about that’. There is no one more qualified for this position with his networking and contacts.”
Dr. Jeff Gingerich, university president, and Beretta spoke in-depth on the hiring of Adrian Wojnarowski for the first time this afternoon, outlining ambitious future plans for a new era of Bonaventure athletics.
Beretta explained the decision to add a general manager to the men’s basketball program.
“We’re trying to be cutting edge and prepared for outcomes,” said Beretta. “We know we need to make bold decisions at times. We know we don’t have the advantages other colleges do, so we need to leverage every asset. The general manager position was discussed at some level before I was hired.”
In a press release, Bonaventure described the responsibilities of general manager as “serving the coaching staff in managing a wide range of responsibilities including name, image and likeness opportunities and as a liaison with collectives; transfer portal management; recruit, family and alumni player relationships; professional player programs; and program fundraising.”
Beretta emphasized Wojnarowski’s impact on athletics will go beyond finance management.
“This is going to be an opportunity to advance the entire mission of the institution,” said Beretta. “He’s going to help our young athletes gain tremendous life opportunities while they’re still here in school, whether that’s internships or summer jobs. It’s much more than the face value of a basketball GM. He’s going to be shaping young people’s lives.”
Wojnarowski, class of ‘91, stepped down from his position at ESPN as a Senior NBA Insider to assume the role of general manager for Bonaventure’s men’s basketball team, according to the university press release. He signed a 5-year, $35 million contract extension with the company in 2022, according to a 2022 New York Post article.
“[Wojnarowski] is going to be an ambassador to this institution,” said Beretta. “He’s got so many contacts in the world of college and professional basketball. But beyond that, he’s already thinking about how he can assist our student-athletes when they graduate to the professional realm.”
Wojnarowski’s hiring stands as the first move of a strategic athletics reimagining, said Gingerich.
“We’re moving through a strategic planning process this year, and that’s really about setting a vision and moving forward,” said Gingerich. “One of our big questions will always be the role of how athletics fit in the mission, tradition and forward-thinking of St. Bonaventure University.”
The dialogue, which took place in the McGinley-Carney Center for Franciscan Ministry, occurred during “The President’s Hour.” Bonaventure administration plan to utilize such sessions throughout the academic year to increase communication and transparency among the Bonaventure community, said Gingerich.
A press conference welcoming Wojnarowski and his wife Amy back to the Bonaventure community will be held on Wednesday, Sept. 25 at 4 p.m. in the Quick Center for the Arts.
Nathan Donnelly also contributed to gathering information for this article.
maierkj22@bonaventure.edu
