A regular column by Athletic Director Bill Husak.
Summer is over and we are in our first week of class. The summer has been eventful and I wish to share with you those that had the greatest impact on our program.
On Friday August 5, two of our student-athletes perished in an automobile accident. Adam Bacon (men's cross country) and Jessica Hanson (women's soccer) were traveling with Jessica's family for a weekend vacation at Lake Havasu when an accident ensued. Four people died including the boyfriend of Jessica's sister as well as her father.
In times like these, it is difficult to understand why something happens, but wonderful to be a member of the LMU family. Jessica and Adam were to be seniors, both were outstanding students and were to lead their teams in the upcoming season. And as people they were the best that LMU has to offer. I had the opportunity to watch them compete, learn and grow during their three years at LMU, as did the rest of our staff. Coaches in particular give so much of themselves to these young people that they truly become surrogate parents for the real parents who can't be so close all of the time.
When tragedy happens, I can not imagine a place that is more caring than LMU. The staff is here to help, support and guide us through these times. The emotions run the gamut of possibilities, but the foundational strength that exists is beyond explanation. Only experience can provide a sense of what that is like and how comforting it can be. Our thoughts and prayers will continue to go out to the Bacon and Hanson families.
We also have been encouraged by the further development of our facilities. Currently, we are constructing Smith Field, a new softball facility for our team. Thanks to a generous donation from Mike and Patty Smith, Smith Field will have no formal grandstand seating but rather terraced grass seating and seating on grass burms behind home plate, down both baselines and around the outfield. Beyond center field is the Fr. Tom Higgins Short Game Golf Practice facility. Two sand traps, a chipping area and a 6,000 square foot putting green comprise this facility. In the old one wall hand ball courts that are beyond the golf practice facility will be batting cages for softball and a full golf swing hitting area. A new scoreboard for soccer and enhanced park area at the swimming pool are the remaining construction projects for the summer.
Finally, this past Sunday I welcomed over 100 new student-athletes to campus. This group of freshman and transfers represent the most talented group to ever attend LMU. We know this not only from their composite academic records, but also from their athletic achievements and the excitement of the coaching staff.
I believe that as an LMU Lion fan, you are in for one of the most exciting years in University history. Our coaches have recruited people who not only fit the profile of what we want and expect from an entering LMU student, but also have the drive, talent and competitiveness to win championships. So I look forward to seeing you at a future contest.
Go Lions!
Bill Husak
