OMC: Where does a new baseball facility rank on your list of priorities?

GK: I think it ranks at the top; the top two or three facility issues we have, baseball is at the top. we're trying to put some things in place right now to move forward with a facility. We are the only Division 1 program in the state of Wisconsin. We have to represent the university and the state. We're going to do that. It's very, very important. We have to come up with a better facility than we have. i think baseball can really make some noise for us in the years to come.

OMC: No matter how long you work at UWM, you'll always be known as a former Packer. Is that in any wire tiresome?

GK: Having that "former Packer" title is always going to be a good thing in the state. Wisconsin is a little bit different than a lot of other states. They love the green and gold. If it's good enough for the Packers, it's good enough for Marquette or UW-Milwaukee. It's a first-rate organization. They do a great job of bringing good, smart student-athletes into their franchise.

I wish a lot of my teammates would come back to Wisconsin. There are so many opportunities, especially in Milwaukee. I'm writing my dissertation on the role transition of retired National Football League players. That transition is tough, you know. There are stereotypes out there and stigmas, especially with athletes. I don't want to remembered for being a football player. I want to be remembered for being the best athletic director in the country. I'm not going to do it by myself. i've got a great staff. they're going to lead me.

It's a whole new journey. I look forward to it.

OMC: A lot of former NFL players experience health problems in retirement. How are you holding up?

GK: My back has been bothering me; my lower back. It's excruciating. My wife had to help me get dressed the last couple days. I had seven surgeries when i played. I had both shoulders redone (and) my right wrist and my knee. I tore my ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) right before the Super Bowl. They had to go in two other times to fix things.

The lifespan of an NFL player is 3 1/2 years. It is a sport made for young men. I was very fortunate to play nine years in the NFL. I do feel the effects of it.

OMC: What are your major goals for the program?

GK: I think we can absolutely dominate in the Horizon League. Getting in the (NCAA) tournament should be a must every year for us. If George Mason can get in the Final Four, UWM can get in the Final Four. That's what we're shooting for. Anything less than that is not acceptable.

OMC: How do you make that jump?

GK: We're going to do it with some international players. It's tough for us to go to a young man or lady's house and go head to head with Michigan or Northwestern or Illinois.

We've got a great base. We just need an extra flair -- a student-athlete from the Sudan, from Madrid, Serbia, Trinidad and Tobago. Our coaches are awesome. We've just got to add to it.