A regular column by Athletic Director Bill Husak.
Nov. 2003
November is a time of Thanksgiving. In this time of strife in the world, budget crisis within the State of California and the fires that have occurred locally, it is appropriate that we pause to reflect and give thanks.
At Loyola Marymount University we give special thanks for our athletes. They compete and win against some of the best athletes in the world and in the process represent the institution so well. Being an athlete is not an easy task. There are classes and exams to take, practice and games to attend and all of the other expectations and tasks associated with being a college student. Although we are so proud of our men and women, those who should take the greatest pride are their parents who have raised them so well. Thank you for continuing to support your sons and daughters through email, letters, phone calls and visits to campus.
The surrogate parents are the LMU coaches and staff. You should know what a fine group they are. Although many of them have their own families, it seems that frequently they spend as much time and energy with their athletes as they do with their own spouses and children. They care and are committed. In like fashion, the faculty and staff of this institution provide a nurturing educational environment for our young people to grow both professionally and personally. So we give thanks to the staffs, and the families of the staff, for allowing us to do this great work.
I am particularly grateful for our students, both those who are here now and who were here and have become alums. There is a tremendous growing Lion spirit that is becoming contagious. You can feel it at games and events that we have held and it is nowhere near peeking. Included are those community members and fans that identify with the values and efforts of the athletics program and university to be uniquely the best. They have decided to become involved and we welcome them.
Finally, we thank those men and women who preserve our liberties and keep us safe to play games and compete. We give thanks to the armed services, the public servants who comprise our police and fire departments and everyone else who contribute to making the quality of life in this country one of the best in the world.
As we gather with our families this month, let's not forget those who are less fortunate. Let me encourage you to do what many of our athletes and teams do year around and that is to make someone's life a little better this month. There are many ways to give - time, energy, dollars and goods are the most typical. So be generous in this month of Thanksgiving to those who are unable to fully enjoy this wonderful time.
Go Lions!
Bill
