A regular column by Athletic Director Bill Husak.
August 2003
The summer for collegiate athletics is similar to spring training in baseball. Everyone is undefeated and excited about the prospects for a new athletic year to begin. Coaches are busy recruiting, holding camps that promote and market their programs and athletes are ready to compete for championships. Administrators work to catch-up on tasks that may not have been completed from the previous year, develop the coming year's plans and ensure that they have the right people in place to be successful.
I believe that a year ago we welcomed the most talented group of freshman athletes in the history of LMU. This year's class promises to be every bit as good if not better. Only time will tell, but the coaching staff is excited across the board about the caliber of athlete that is now electing to become a Lion. The future is bright for all of our programs and I am expecting this to be the best overall year in history.
We have accomplished a great deal during the summer. Among the more visible items is the installation of a new turf on our soccer field. This surface will be as good as any surface in southern California. You will be able to come and watch two NCAA tournament-qualifying teams compete this fall in our men's and women's soccer teams. These programs will both be very young and exciting to watch, but neither is in a rebuilding mode. Our goal is to win the WCC Championship and advance into post-season play. WCC soccer is among the very elite in the country and we expect to be among the nationally recognized teams. We also expect our fall sports teams - women's volleyball, men's water polo and the men's and women's cross-country programs - to set the stage for this year and for the sport teams that follow.
The Athletics Director's Council (ADC) and the LionsFund have had numerous successful meetings. The LionsFund is currently in the middle of its annual summer fund drive. Our volunteers have been spectacular is seeking support for the program and the response at this point in time is well ahead of last year's pace. The ADC had an outstanding planning session and is prepared to move forward in helping the University meets its long-range vision for the athletics program both in terms of facilities and endowments.
This coming year will also be one of self-study as we prepare our evaluation for an NCAA accreditation. We have our steering and sub-committees in place and will begin the process next month. It is important for you as supporters of our program to know that you will have the opportunity to provide feedback for this self-study. There will be many avenues by which we will supply information, and this web site will be one of the main ones. We welcome your input and the broad-base participation from you will make this endeavor a meaningful one.
Let me close by encouraging you to follow the Lions with great zeal this year. Any success that we experience will be a direct result of the many ways in which our fans support our teams and programs. So thank you for all that you do for LMU and as always?
Go Lions!
Bill
