Kevin J. Worthen is new BYU President

BYUtv

Today at a BYU Devotional, news came down that Brigham Young University would have a new president.

Kevin J. Worthen has been named the 13th president at BYU.  Worthen will take over on May 1st, 2014 thus ending the Cecil O. Samuelson era.  Samuelson was president for 11 years, from 2003-2014.

Worthen the past six years has been BYU’s Advancement Vice President.  One of the responsibilities of the Advancement V.P. at BYU is overseeing athletics.  So what that means is BYU Athletic Director, Tom Holmoe has been answering to Worthen the past few years.

Whenever a new BYU President is announced, I always ask myself, is this president going to have a strong role in BYU Athletics?  Some of the best BYU Presidents in my opinion, Jeffrey R. Holland and Rex E. Lee, have been passionate about BYU Sports.  Worthen’s track record suggests he will have an active role in BYU’s athletic department.

The Samuelson era was highlighted by BYU’s transition to football independence and the West Coast Conference.  But after 11 years, now was the right time to bring a new person in to oversee the school.

Worthen earned his bachelor’s degree from BYU and was a dean of the law school from 2004 to 2008. Has deep roots at BYU and grew up in Carbon County, Utah.

What’s your thoughts on Kevin J. Worthen as the new BYU President?  What are your memories from the Cecil O. Samuelson era?