![]() Their three sons – another was born after the family's arrival in Indianapolis – were often found running around Hinkle Fieldhouse. Eighty-hour weeks were common during the school year, but Judy helped by typing up results and stories on a typewriter in the days before computers. Otherwise, he's never considered leaving. He considered applying for an opening with the Chicago White Sox, a team he's rooted for since birth, but decided not to after Judy told him how much she loved Indianapolis. He hired an assistant one year later, but the workload continued to increase. McGrath added the title of associate athletic director in 1989 and he's had it ever since. You just knew it was going to turn around." The basketball team lost nine of its first 10 games that season. McGrath remembers the football team being shut out the first two games he worked. Truth be told, Butler wasn't exactly special in athletics at the time. "I remember walking out of there saying to my wife, 'This is a pretty special place,' " he said. "I couldn't believe they had this kind of facility at Butler University. "I was literally like the kid in 'Hoosiers,' just kind of standing around and looking in awe," he said. The night before, McGrath persuaded a security guard to let him into Hinkle Fieldhouse. ![]() He and Judy drove from Rock Island for the interview. Butler was one of those that said no, but athletic director and football coach Bill Sylvester contacted him a few weeks later to tell him the school had decided to hire its first sports information director and ask whether McGrath was interested. No thanks, wrote the 48 schools that responded. He sent his resume to 50 Division I schools. He loved it, but the money wasn't great on the Division III level, especially considering he also was the school's director of sports facilities and had two young sons at home. The school's public relations chief then asked him to write news releases for local newspapers.Īfter graduation, Augustana hired McGrath as its first sports information director, a job he held for 10 years. His playing career ended after two years at Augustana, but the coach asked him to travel with the team and keep statistics. McGrath grew up in the northern Chicago suburbs and played basketball at Augustana College in Rock Island, Ill. "He's flattered with all the attention he's gotten, but he would much rather be on the other end." "These last few months have been a little hard on him," said Judy McGrath, a physical therapist for Lawrence Township Schools and Jim's wife for 43 years. Many say they don't like the limelight, but revel in it when it's shined upon them. That's because McGrath is something of a rare bird. But the recognition, I would just kind of prefer to step in the background a little bit." Everyone is being so nice and so special. "I kind of jokingly say it's like a funeral march. "It's been a little overwhelming," McGrath said of the tributes. Television networks have noted his retirement during national broadcasts. The sellout crowd responded with a standing ovation. Butler officials honored him and his family March 3 during the final home game against Georgetown. Soon, he'll be leaving – with plans to play more golf, travel more with wife Judy and spend more time with his six grandchildren. He has been the one constant at Hinkle Fieldhouse as the men's basketball program went from afterthought on the Indianapolis sports scene to a national darling. He was Butler's first full-time sports information director. McGrath, 65, will retire in June after 34 years at the school. Maybe a slight exaggeration, but not much. "I think we're going to have to hire all of them to do everything he did," Collier said, laughing. ![]() Butler University has received more than 200 applications from folks hoping to succeed retiring sports information director Jim McGrath – a good thing, athletic director Barry Collier said.
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