Bucknell University Athletics
From the AD's Desk
8/28/2006 8:00:00 AM | General
Aug. 28, 2006
Previous installments of "From the AD's Desk"
-- August 15, 2005
-- September 26, 2005
-- December 1, 2005
-- April 6, 2006
-- August 3, 2006
Greetings Bison Fans!
Just last week we held our annual athletics department "welcome back" staff meeting, where we review important policies and procedures heading into the new academic year. It is one of the few times all year when we have the entire staff together in one room, and I always enjoy scanning the faces at the beginning of each year. There are the very familiar faces, such as Sid Jamieson, Terrie Grieb and Gene Depew, who have been part of the fabric of Bison Athletics for decades. Conversely, there are the fresh faces worn by young coaches and staff, who in many cases are just launching their careers.
I take the same enjoyment out of wandering the practice fields at this time of year. Again there are the familiar student-athletes, the seniors who have become household names. Then there are the first-year students, most of whom we don't know real well yet, who are looking to make their marks.
Every team has an 0-0 record and is filled with hope. In many ways, even though not a single competition has been played, this is the most exciting time of the year.
Perhaps no Bison program is more eager to kick things off than the football team. The 2005 campaign was obviously a very difficult one for coach Tim Landis and his team, but since the final gun sounded to end last season, Coach Landis and his energetic staff have been working tirelessly to get things turned around in 2006. Everyone is extremely optimistic about what weems to be an outstanding class of newcomers, many of whom you will see on the field on opening night against Duquense. These talented youngsters join an upperclass group that is on a mission to regain the respect they deserve this fall.
The season begins with three straight home night games, starting Sept. 2 against the always-dangerous Dukes. Two of our most popular football-related programs also kick off next week. For our local supporters, the first weekly Lewisburg Touchdown Club Luncheon of 2006 will be on Tuesday (Aug. 29) at 11:45 at the Lewisburg Hotel. On Thursday (Aug. 31) will be the first "new look" Bison Live! program of the year. Bison Live! moves to Thursday nights Damon's Grill this year, which is a very exciting development for Bison Athletics as we continue a burgeoning relationship with the good folks at Damon's. We encourage you to come join us at both events, and if you are out of town you can catch Bison Live! either live or via archives at www.BucknellBison.com.
On the other side of Route 15, progress continues on Phase III of the West Fields project. Phase III includes the grandstand and other support facilites for Graham Field and the year-old Varsity Soccer Field. This first-class faclility remains on schedule for a November opening (click HERE for a photo gallery of the construction). In the meantime, the Bucknell field hockey and soccer teams will be playing a full schedule of home matches even as construction continues. Just as we have asked our student-athletes and coaches, we respectfully ask all visitors to these venues to "pardon our progress." We invite you to cheer on your Bison teams from temporary seating locations. We promise it will be well worth the wait for the completion of the new facility.
While the fall season is just getting underway, the winter varsity programs are never far from our thoughts. I hope you saw the recent announcement that Dan Schinnerer will soon become the next head coach of the Bucknell men's and women's swimming teams. Dan's credentials are simply outstanding. He was a four-year lettermen at Yale, and most recently he has been working with Olympic-caliber athletes as an assistant coach with the University of Michigan and Club Wolverine programs. I hope you will get the chance to meet Dan and welcome him to Bucknell when he arrives next week. It won't be long before Dan's swimmers are training in Kinney Natatorium -- his women's team will be gunning for a fifth straight Patriot League title.
The start of the school year has also resulted in a flurry of activity in Sojka Pavilion, where you're very likely to spot members of the men's or women's basketball team working out on their own prior to the official start of practice in October. Coaches Pat Flannery and Kathy Fedorjaka have put together exciting schedules (MEN // WOMEN) in 2005-06, beginning with the men's home opener against Wake Forest on Nov. 14. Following the team's recent success, fan support at Sojka Pavilion is at an all-time high. Time is running out to purchase or renew season tickets, so if you haven't done so I encourage you to contact the ticket office immediately.
In 2005-06 Bucknell teams won a school-record eight Patriot League titles, claimed 16 ESPN the Magazine Academic All-District honorees, captured the Patriot League Presidents' Cup for the 12th time in 16 years and saw more than a quarter of the varsity student-athletes make the Dean's List with a grade-point average of 3.5 or higher in the spring semester.
We have set the bar pretty high, but judging by the looks on the faces of the athletes and staff -- old and young alike -- the potential certainly exists to accomplish even more in 2006-07.
As always ... Go Bison!
John P. Hardt
Director of Athletics and Recreation
