A regular column by Athletic Director Bill Husak.
As we look to the coming year, I thought it would be good to take one last look at our 2005-06 year. This past year, the Athletics Department motto of "Building Champions" continued to be the emphasis. For the Lions' staff, this phrase describes an active and deliberate process to create winning programs in which the experience becomes special for our student-athletes and one that makes our fans proud.
In the first six years of the 21st century, LMU Athletic teams have won more championships and appeared in more NCAA tournaments than they have during the whole 20th century. Our overall winning record was 55% and 58% of our conference contests. We won conference championships in men's water polo and the first ever men's golf and women's rowing West Coast Conference Championship. In addition, Lions teams appeared in three post-season NCAA tournaments (men's water polo, volleyball and golf). We won our first ever WCC Commissioner's Cup which is emblematic of the best overall athletics program in the WCC,
This past year was one of tragedy and exultation, surprises and disappointments and an ever growing commitment to make Lions Athletics the very best. Our year began with the tragic deaths of Jessica Hanson and Adam Bacon, two senior athletes who were among the best and most valuable performers to the women's soccer and men's cross country teams. The fall sports schedule saw historical performances for the women's and men's cross country program, a championship for men's water polo and a 3rd place finish in the NCAA Tournament, and an invitation to the NCAA tournament for volleyball.
Coach Rodney Tention's men's basketball team provided a renewal of enthusiasm and optimism for this program. After enduring season ending injuries to three of his top eight players and a non-conference record of 3-11 that saw five games lost on the last shot of the game, the team bounced back in conference play. It finished second in the conference and nearly won the WCC Tournament suffering a one point loss to Gonzaga on their home court. With two all-league performers returning in Brandon Worthy and Mathew Knight, next season could be a very exciting one.
Julie Wilhoit and the women's basketball program have gained conference wide respect and finished the year in third place, one game out of first. Her 17-12 record and 10-4 conference record have become the norm and expected. With a powerful core of returning players and a very strong recruiting class, we expect another successful season next year. The women's swim team also had its most successful season in program history with nine dual competition wins - a program record. Numerous individual records were set during the course of the season and this team did not have a single senior on the team.
I am often asked why, when most students are on a five and six year plan to graduate, we place our student-athletes on a four year plan. The answer is simple - we do it because we can. We recruit student-athletes who can not only handle the expectation of successfully competing at the NCAA Division I level, but who can meet the academic challenges that LMU has to offer.
In addition, our student-athletes on athletic scholarship (71% for the 1997-98 cohort and 69% for the four-year average) continue to graduate at a level that is comparable to our student body (74% for the 1997-98 cohort and 72% for the four-year average). A better indicator, however, is the average of those who exhaust their eligibility at LMU (includes scholarship and non-scholarship athletes including transfers) and that figure is 81%. LMU student-athletes are indeed accomplishing and achieving in the classroom.
At the heart of every institution are people. Successful departments and programs are characterized by having people who are highly motivated and competent as well as in tune with the values and mission of the institution. Athletics is fortunate to have a vast core made up of these individuals and we have added to that core. But what we don't realize is the support that our program enjoys across campus. This is especially true in time of tragedy. Sr. Joanne Connolly and the Student Psychological Services staff were unbelievable in their support of our student-athletes during the tragic deaths of their two teammates. The same was true of the Jesuit Community and all of Student Affairs. For this support we say THANK YOU.
There have been numerous other highlights for the past year. These include a record number of television appearances. The men's and women's basketball program have enjoyed 13 appearances on television. This provides a wonderful opportunity to not just showcase the Athletics program, but also Loyola Marymount University. We broadcasted over 150 sports events on the internet radio as well as an unprecedented number of games on KXLU. The commitment of Lydia Ammosow and KXLU has been what it should be from a campus radio station and we have enjoyed even greater exposure because of her commitment.
We continue to be dedicated to enhancing the facilities for our student-athletes and fans. This spring we dedicated Smith Field, our new softball field and the Fr. Tom Higgins, S.J. Short Game Center for the golf program. The area behind Gersten Pavilion has now become a scenic venue for practice and games. These facilities are visible proof of the on-going generosity of our fans which is exhibited in so many ways.
We will continue the trend in improving facilities by redesigning and refinishing the main basketball court while also adding a new sound system to Gersten Pavilion. In addition, LMU will serve as the host for the 2006 NCAA Men's Water Polo Championship in December. Our commitment is to expose as many people as possible to the campus while providing them a positive experience when they arrive on our grounds.
Finally, we are committed to recruiting student-athletes who have the potential to win championships, graduate in four years and who leave LMU as better people because of their experience. Our winning records, graduation rates and testimonials of life after graduation are indicators that these goals are being achieved. Yet, we feel that there is still a great deal of room to grow and improve. Our Department's commitment is to fulfill the great promise of LMU Athletics.
Go Lions!
Bill Husak
