A regular column by Athletic Director Bill Husak.
Jan. 2004
Recently, I traveled across country for a NCAA Championships and Competition Committee Meeting. As part of my in-flight reading, I brought a book titled, "Making Work Work" by Scott Hunter. In the book, Scott makes many good points. One in particular is the concept that you should start at the point you want to end. As an example, if you want to have a happy, positive and successful life, you have to begin by being a happy, positive person.
We have attempted to put this concept into practice with our facilities. We want to have facilities that we can all be proud of and our efforts have continued along those lines. Let me highlight a few.
A renovation of our baseball weight room has recently been completed. The renovation has included a new paint job as well as the addition of mirrors. Also on the wall is recognition of past champions and championships. It has become a facility that you want to go into. We will also begin this spring work on a new entrance into Page Stadium. A "park" area will greatly enhance the gateway to the stadium.
For years we have had five tennis courts. We have begun construction on a sixth tennis court, which will be completed in mid-April. Our tennis team will not only be able to conduct a match the way it should be held, but now also in grand style.
A donor, who wishes to remain anonymous, has pledged a gift to complete a golf practice facility that has been in our planning. The facility will include a putting green, sand traps, chipping/pitching area and full swing hitting areas that will be used for teaching. The facility will be built after we rotate the softball field 90 degrees and will be located between the left field foul line of Page Stadium and behind center field of the softball field. We are currently fundraising for this new softball field.
Fundraising is approaching the $3 million mark for the Athletic Center. I have discussed previously the impact of this $10 million building on our programs. When it comes into existence, it will trigger a much-needed renovation of Gersten Pavilion.
Beginning in the place you want to end extends to programs as well. Our website is one example. We want to have an exciting, informative website with a five-year goal to attain 4 million page views. It appears that we will achieve that target 4 years early. Even though we are short-staffed with Marysol Cayado-Moe on maternity leave, John Shaffer and Alyssa Zito have been diligent in maintaining currency. I know, because my father-in-law, Richard Larkin has become an avid follower of our website.
Our energy and excitement remains high at LMU. The current activity level is high, and there is a great deal on the horizon. Thank you for following our program and I hope to see you at a game soon.
Go Lions!
Bill
