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In an unexpected move late last Friday. administrators picked pop singer Elvis Costello to fill the position of Athletic Director here at Georgia State University. The position had been vacant since former director Rankin Cooter quit last month.
When asked why Mr. Costello had been chosen, one administrator, who asked not to be identified, answered. "Well, we think that the kind of appeal someone like Mr. Costello can bring to our program is phenomenal. Look at Rankin Cooter. How many hit records has he had in the past ten years? That was our primary problem. When you have someone in a position like that and they're just not producing original, peppy songs — songs that still reflect a social consciousness, mind you — when that person is not producing songs... well, they're just under a lot of pressure to leave."
Mr. Costello expressed his concern that he be allowed full creative control over his new position.
"I think what GSU sports have experienced in the past has been a total lack of competent songwriting." he said. "Billboard did an article on it last December. For a school of this size to be without experienced and talented musicians in the athletic department is just, well, shameful, really. I feel that if I'm allowed to have control over the kinds of songs I write, then the program can only get better. If it's done by a sort of committee — where everyone has a say — then I think the music and the program both suffer."
Many athletes have expressed their doubts concerning Mr. Costello's abilities as potential Athletic Director.
One soccer player, who asked not to be identified, said, "Personally, I think his music stinks. The only reason they chose him is because of his collaborating with Paul McCartney last year. We need someone like Lemmy What's-his-name, the guy from Motorhead, to take over and really put some life into this program. Do you think my hair really looks all that gray?"
As far as pay is concerned, Mr. Costello said that the details still have to be ironed out.
"I think we may devise some sort of percentage system where I earn a certain fraction of the money received from record sales," he said. "It's really up to them. I don't have much say in this end of the bargain."
Most feel that Costello's appointment is a good sign for the Athletic Department. They feel it reflects a positive, new thinking administration who is not afraid to take chances and try unusual tactics.
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