A regular column by Athletic Director Bill Husak.
December 2002
Firmly entrenched in this Holiday Season, it is important for us to recognize the efforts of our athletes and coaches. They strive to represent LMU and its ideals in ways we can all be proud. Furthermore, the support that our staff, faculty, administration and fans provide these coaches and athletes is vitally important to their success.
Earlier this year, I shared with you my prediction that LMU is on the verge of a "Golden Era" in its athletic history. This prediction is quickly becoming as fact. Our fall sports have had the best winning percentage in LMU history as a group. I believe our winter teams will continue this success as well as our spring sports. But this prediction is much more than a simple scorecard than talking wins and losses. In fact, it has more to do with fulfilling the final two components of a highly successful athletic program - facilities and endowments.
LMU's athletic facilities need attention. There are plans to build a building behind Gersten Pavilion that will house locker rooms for all of our outdoor teams, a new sports medicine and strength and conditioning area, and offices for coaches and administrators. Once this building is completed, we will focus our attention to renovating Gersten Pavilion. That renovation will include a remodel of the locker areas for those teams that play in the Pavilion, new seats and gym floor, a new Founders area, and most importantly a Student-Athlete Academic Center. The final phase of our facility enhancements will be an Athletic Park. This construction will include a soccer stadium, renovations and build-outs of Page Stadium for baseball, and a new softball diamond and seating. A common ticket, concession and restroom area that will be part of a promenade connecting the venues will service these three venues.
Endowments provide the foundation for that "margin of excellence" that I have previously mentioned. Our athletic endowment needs to grow significantly if we are to provide a championship experience for our student-athletes. This endowment will support scholarship, academic and operational needs for our teams.
To implement these three components, our goals have been approved as part of the University's Strategic Plan. It is indeed a statement that LMU has made about the commitment to NCAA Division I athletics. So we are now beginning to thrust ourselves into making these two pieces a reality.
My biggest concern and fear is that we will wait for some other entity or person to make these dreams come true. In a previous life, I was part of a university that waited for the State of California to fund projects. In my current position, I have heard comments about "the University" funding these projects. My initial reaction to this attitude is to ask the question, "Who is the University?" The answer is simply, "The University is you and I." No one will fulfill these dreams but those who value the LMU experience and are generous in their support.
So as I write this "Perspectives" piece on the plane returning from the Great Alaska Shootout with our men's basketball team, I approach this Holiday Season grateful and excited. I am grateful for the people I associate with - students, staff and fans. You truly are the best. And I am excited about sharing the future of LMU athletics with you. May you have the best of Holiday Seasons and as always?
Go Lions!
