Paulie74 - Athletics are a part of a liberal arts education... Also part of a Jesuit education - Sound mind, body, and spirit. Lose competitive athletics and you lose tons of competitive students. Lose competitive athletics and lose Alumni and community support, which actually make Fairfield more competitive. I know this Quinnie hire is insane. I actually think the publicity around it might hurt the school. Who knows... But, competitive athletics are a big part of Fairfield and are here to stay.
If you read what I said, I do not disagree. I did NOT say we don't need athletics. But D1 athletics and the cost and the baggage that goes with it is not mandatory.
Lots of Jesuit schools are not D1.
D2 and D3 rivalries, games and conferences are very competitive.
You know what is amazing is that when I tell people I follow FU basketball they say, "They're D1? I didn't realize that"
You can have a sound body and competitive sports at any level.
I say lets make our mark and get publicity from our highly ranked health sciences, business programs and other academic programs not our annual mediocre RPI.
If we were not in Division I, we would be exactly the same as Scranton. As I said before we compete with Fordham, Holy Cross, Villanova, Providence, St Joes, Loyola, BC and Georgetown. All Division I. Do you really want to go backwards?
It's a stretch to claim that we compete with Georgetown, Holy Cross, or BC. I'm a proud FU grad, but I can still have the objectivity to recognize that those three schools are not in our peer group.
It's a stretch to claim that we compete with Georgetown, Holy Cross, or BC. I'm a proud FU grad, but I can still have the objectivity to recognize that those three schools are not in our peer group.
The key word is "compete" with those schools, Surely BC and Georgetown beat us out for many Students, but not all. I do not consider BC and Georgetown as "Peers" , They are a step above.
Following the teams is the one way many alumni stay in touch with the university. I would not follow a Div. II or III program, period. I still proudly wear my Stags cap but it is based on where the program once was.
I agree we have very little to show for our investment lately.
Personally I can't wait for change(s)...be it Ensor's replacement, our coach, athletic director, President, and/or a new conference. Someone has to understand how tenuous the whole situation is with the Stags. We need more than mediocrity, and a plan to obtain it.
When Quinny first joined, I predicted that they had bigger, more determined aspirations than us, and would leapfrog over us and out of the MAAC before we would.
Last Edit: Mar 16, 2017 12:33:49 GMT -5 by stagparty
Following the teams is the one way many alumni stay in touch with the university. I would not follow a Div. II or III program, period. I still proudly wear my Stags cap but it is based on where the program once was.
I agree we have very little to show for our investment lately.
Personally I can't wait for change(s)...be it Ensor's replacement, our coach, athletic director, President, and/or a new conference. Someone has to understand how tenuous the whole situation with the Stags is. We need more than mediocrity and a plan to obtain it.
When Quinny first joined, I predicted that they had bigger, more determined aspirations than us, and would leapfrog over us and out of the MAAC before we would.
Stagparty, I agree with what you have said here. My problem is for my 45 years as a student and fan FU has not demonstrated the expertise, the commitment or I don't know what else to "the plan" as you describe to make this program a perennial top tier program. The frustration is getting painful. They cannot even communicate on an accurate and timely basis.
I would love to have a program that at least has a winning record every year. But that has not been attainable. Sooner or later you have to ask, is our approach correct or do we need to change it up.
You know what Quinny is up to. I predicted the same thing. They did it in hockey, womens bball and will be there shortly in mens bball. They have the commitment, the facilities and most of all people with a plan and vision who appear to know what they are doing. FU, not so much.
QU has also been slowly ramping up everything else as well (besides athletics). 30 years ago, I didn't even consider it a school worth looking at it. Now I'm thinking it might be a good place to send my daughter.
I shudder to think what the commentary would be out here if the team had only won 9 games (like Boston College or Depaul) or 10 games (like Duquesne or Quinnipiac) or 11 games (like St Joes) or 12 games (like Fordham) or 13 games (like Penn) or 14 games (like Georgetown) or 15 games (like Holy Cross and Loyola).
I shudder to think what the commentary would be out here if the team had only won 9 games (like Boston College or Depaul) or 10 games (like Duquesne or Quinnipiac) or 11 games (like St Joes) or 12 games (like Fordham) or 13 games (like Penn) or 14 games (like Georgetown) or 15 games (like Holy Cross and Loyola).
What would have happened? We wouldn't blame the coach but everyone above the coach. The took a big gamble staying the course after 2 10th place finishes.
Last night watching the game at UMBC arena the lady behind me tap me on the shoulder and asked me where in NJ was fairfield located. I rest my case!
The blank stare ratio in Boston is probably > 50%. I'm doing good if someone says "is that in CT?"
I was sitting on the side (facing the team benches) and the UMBC season ticket holders asked me where Fairfield was, too. I can't exactly remember but I think she thought it was either Pennsylvania or New Jersey. When I said "Connecticut" they (there were 3 or 4 of 'em) gasped! When I told them it was about a 4-hour drive they really gasped and congratulated my loyalty (or being crazy! haha)
Since Fairfield dropped its football program, I follow Sacred Heart football. A few year's ago, I took a road trip to Bucknell and their fans asked me where Sacred Heart was located . . .
I wouldn't put too much into that. FF and Loyola were in a league together for 20 years and you don't know where FF is? Not even casual fans. By the way; where's Gonzaga? LOL