Bucknell University Athletics
From the ADs Desk
10/22/2006 8:00:00 AM | General
Oct. 22, 2006
Previous installments of "From the AD's Desk"
-- August 15, 2005
-- September 26, 2005
-- December 1, 2005
-- April 6, 2006
-- August 3, 2006
-- August 28, 2006
Greetings Bison Fans!
In the realm of college athletics there are very few periods throughout the year that are not packed with activity, but it seems that the month of October tops all others in the "bustle" category. As the surrounding hillsides sparkle with hues of red, yellow and orange, the Bison fall teams are just beginning their stretch drives, with critical league games on the docket every weekend.
Women's cross country and women's soccer are both out to defend Patriot League championships and are looking very strong thus far. Women's soccer set a program record with seven straight victories and went unbeaten at home this season, highlighting several notable achievements by the fall teams. The men's water polo team has been ranked as high as No. 17 nationally; the men's soccer team had an eight-game unbeaten streak earlier this season; the men's and women's golf teams both have team and individual titles to their credit (for the women, the Bison Fall Classic title was the first tournament win in the nine-year history of the program); and Tim Landis' football team has shown tremendous toughness and is hanging in there at 4-4 despite significant injuries on the offensive side of the ball.
At the same time, the winter programs have all begun their preseason preparations, and before you know it, there will be roars emanating from Sojka Pavilion, Davis Gym, Kinney Natatorium and Gerhard Fieldhouse.
Just last weekend coaches Pat Flannery and Kathy Fedorjaka officially began basketball practice, and hopes are once again very high for both programs. The men's team has obviously set the bar extremely high, coming off two of the finest seasons in program history. And with everyone back from an 18-win season, the women's squad figures to challenge for a Patriot League title as well.
We are expecting large crowds in Sojka Pavilion and all of our venues from now through the end of the school year, and it was thoughts of those spirited crowds that prompted the Department of Athletics to introduce a new positive sportsmanship campaign called "Bison Good Sports!"
As I noted in the press release issued earlier this month announcing the "Bison Good Sports!" initiative, the objective is to thank our fans for the tremendous energy and enthusiasm that they bring to each of our Bucknell athletics contests, while also empowering them as caretakers of the collegiate gameday experience. While the extremes of unwanted behavior and its impact on home and visiting fans are not commonplace at Bison athletics events, Bucknell and our visiting teams ask for our fans' help in keeping their support of our teams positive and cheer with positive encouragement, rather than supporting an atmosphere of intimidation that attempts to degrade opposing players and teams. We hope that our fans will continue to join our players, coaches and staff in helping all spectators find creative and ingenious ways to positively support our Bucknell student-athletes.
As you visit athletics events on campus you will notice the new "Bison Good Sports!" logo, and I encourage you to support your favorite Bison teams in a sportinglike manner.
In addition to the men's and women's basketball teams gearing up for their seasons, we are also eagerly awaiting the beginning of the 2006-07 wrestling season, which marks the program's reintroduction to varsity status. Coach Dan Wirnsberger has assembled an exciting first-year class that has been ranked in the top 20 nationally, and the squad will make its Davis Gym debut on Tuesday, Nov. 21 in a dual match against Army. Many wrestling alumni will be back on campus for that historic competition, and we hope that you can share the experience with us as well.
A new era is also beginning in Kinney Natatorium, where first-year head coach Dan Schinnerer is preparing for his first season at Bucknell. The Bison will be hosting the Patriot League Swimming and Diving Championships in late February, and the women's squad will be gunning for its fifth straight title.
While basketball tickets figure to be scarce this winter, Bucknell fans will have numerous chances to catch the Bison on national television. The men's game at Texas Tech on Dec. 23 is confirmed to be televised on ESPN2, and just this week the Patriot League announced an exciting new television deal with ESPNU, and we are extremely pleased that the Bison will be showcased in four of the nine men's games and at least one of the three women's games in the package. Final details are being negotiated on a handful of other television opportunities, and we hope to have an announcement on those dates very soon.
In addition to the ESPNU package, the Patriot League will also be offering a new online broadband package, where live video of every men's and women's league game will be available on the Internet.
Web-based video services are becoming more and more prevalent as the technology continues to improve, and we are currently in the planning stages as we look to offer additional video options on BucknellBison.com in the coming months. As they say, stay tuned!
On the facilities front, construction is moving along swiftly on Phase III of the West Fields Project. Nearly all of the masonry is complete, and the stadium and support features that will complement Graham Field and the Varsity Soccer Field are really taking shape. When finished, we will have a first-class facility that will rival any similar structure elsewhere.
While Phase III is nearing completion, we have begun the reviewing and planning process for an upgrade to the spectator venues at baseball and softball. The current bleacher situation at Depew Field and the varsity softball field is obviously below Bucknell's high standards, and we will soon be working feverishly to rectify this.
Finally, I would like to personally welcome Doug Byerly to the athletics development team. As a manager of athletics fundraising, Doug will join Todd Newcomb, Tom Harvey and Sid Jamieson in this important area. Many of you already know Doug's voice, since he has served as a color commentator on Bucknell men's basketball radio broadcasts for the last two seasons. We are pleased to have Doug's services in his new expanded role.
As you can see, there is a lot going on in Bison Athletics this month. I hope you will be a part of it with us.
As always ... GO BISON!
John P. Hardt
Director of Athletics & Recreation
