Gray: Accessibility most important in next AD

As if classes, football practice and five-month-old Twins aren't enough, MarQueis Gray has spent some time in the past month serving on the 21-member advisory board that is assisting in the search for Minnesota's next athletics director.
He's made two of the meetings so far, Gray said, but missed another due to his football obligations -- you know, being the starting quarterback on a Big Ten team, that's all. But the senior-to-be said he has enjoyed the experience of helping to draw up a list of qualities that candidates should be judged by, and believes that he's doing his small part to make sure that the Gophers hire the right person to succeed Joel Maturi.
Specifically, Gray said, "I told [the committee], as student-athletes, we want someone who's going to be there for us and interact with us. Get to know us and what we need to win, not just sit in his office the whole time. ... That was one of the main concerns [of fellow athletes he spoke to], that he take be [accessible]."
So did the search committee listen? "I think so," Gray said. "Hopefully, they take my advice."