New Air Force athletic director has best of both worlds

0 Comments | Gazette, The (Colorado Springs), Mar 2, 2004 | by TODD JACOBSON THE GAZETTE

Some people dream of traveling to space. Michael Bloomfield's done that, but when he was an Air Force Academy cadet 23 years ago, he dreamed of becoming the academy's athletic director.

The former Air Force football player and NASA astronaut can now say he's done both.

Bloomfield, 44, was named the ninth athletic director in academy history Monday, taking over for Col. Randy Spetman, who retired Jan. 2.

Like Spetman, Bloomfield is a product of Air Force's football team. He was a linebacker and two-year letterwinner on Air Force's football team, and captain of the squad in 1980.

He graduated from the academy in 1981, and his No. 50 jersey hangs in the Hall of Excellence, next to where Superintendent Lt. Gen. John W. Rosa made his announcement Monday.

"There are some people in the (NASA astronaut) office that it was always their dream to be an astronaut.... I can tell you this, ever since I was a cadet at the Air Force Academy, one of the things I always wanted to do was be the athletic director of the Air Force Academy," said Bloomfield, who has spent more than 753 hours in space.

"And for me, this is like a dream come true to actually be able to go back to the academy and give back to an organization that had such a huge impact on my life."

Bloomfield will take over in April, Rosa said. Bloomfield's start date is uncertain because Bloomfield said he still has work to finish with NASA in Houston.

Bloomfield was chosen from a field of five finalists interviewed by Rosa and Commandant of Cadets Brig. Gen. Johnny Weida. There were 12 applicants for the position when it was advertised in November.

"Having been a Division I athlete, I think it's important that he has played," said Rosa, who played football at The Citadel.

"He was captain of his ball team. He knows what it's like to play at this level and do all those things as a cadet. He was a very bright student and I think he is a perfect role model for our young men and women here."

Football coach Fisher De-Berry, who was in his first year as an assistant at the academy during Bloomfield's senior year, applauded the hiring.

"I know he was a tremendous competitor," DeBerry said. "He played with a lot of intensity and a lot of heart and a lot of courage and I know those are the same qualities he will bring to the program."

Bloomfield has flown F-15s and F-16s, and has piloted three shuttle missions as recently as April of 2002, but has not been involved in collegiate athletics since he left the academy in 1981.

He said he is still an avid fan of college football, and doesn't envision problems making the transition back to athletics. Bloomfield said he has already consulted with Spetman, a friend for the past six years, about the job.

"I may have been out of it officially, but unofficially, I love to follow it," Bloomfield said. "... The job is more than just the football team and the basketball team and the five primary sports.... The other big portion of it is the other cadets, the ones that may not be visible, but who our country is going to rely on in the future. I think I will be able to handle all that."

Bloomfield will take over a department that is currently under review by an Air Force panel. Air Force Sec. James Roche ordered the review, headed by retired Gen. Mike Ryan, to examine the importance of athletics at the academy.

In April, the athletics department shifted from the superintendent's control to the commandant as part of the academy's agenda for change. Spetman said that change led partly to his retirement.

Rosa said Monday he expected a report from the managerial review panel in April. The panel visited the academy in February, and will visit again this month.

Rosa said he didn't expect the panel to recommend tighter control of the athletics department.

"I have been in contact with Gen. Ryan," Rosa said. "So far, through the initial phases, it looks like he doesn't have any big concerns or show-stoppers."

CONTACT THE WRITER: 636-0256 or tjacobson@gazette.com