I was deeply saddened by the late August news that a significant financial pledge to the College will not be forthcoming.
The highly-publicized announcement from College President Brother Craig Franz FSC, Ph.D. and Board of Trustees Chairman Nick Moore '63 confirmed that that the College will need to acquire new funding for athletic and recreational sports facilities, which are part of our strategic plan. Additionally, we in athletics will look for opportunities to support other important initiatives, such as the new classroom building (Filippi Hall).
Yet we are resilient and resolute when it comes to moving ahead and providing our student-athletes, coaches, and staff with what they require for greater success. To stay competitive in the West Coast Conference and in recruiting, it is imperative that we have new and improved facilities.
A few months ago, the Department of Athletics and Recreational Sports began working with Barry VanderKelen, Vice President for Advancement and Planning, to reevaluate the plans for new athletic facilities. This work was started to align planned facilities with our strategic direction, to enhance facilities for all intercollegiate sports and our recreational sports programs, and account for the discontinued football program. During the past few weeks, members of the Athletics and Recreational Sports and Advancement offices have dusted off the negative news from their agendas, and continued the planning process to assess changing physical plant needs and align fund-raising priorities. This is quite appropriate since the former plans were drawn up almost a decade ago.
The timing is also right to discuss strategies for contacts with existing donors and to identify prospective individuals, corporations, and foundations with possible interest in assisting us. We want to invite them to invest in the future of our athletic program and student-athletes. With their participation, our facilities plan will come true.
One door has closed, but I am confident another will open. Thank you for your prayers, support, and suggestions.
Katie Davis will join the staff in a few weeks as the Director of Marketing and Promotions. Katie will be responsible for designing, coordinating, implementing, and evaluating a comprehensive athletic marketing and promotions plan to include, but not limited to, games and events, half-time entertainment, special events, ticket sales, speaking engagements for staff, and assisting with community service opportunities.
Many of you will remember Katie as a student-athlete member of our women's basketball team from 1998 through 2003, where she excelled as a team leader and performer. Katie completed both a Bachelor of Science in Business and a Masters of Business Administration at Saint Mary's.
Please join me in welcoming Katie to the team. After September 15, you can reach Katie at (925) 631-4699
All of our fall sports will be competing this week. The women's volleyball team opens their season at home on Wednesday, September 1 against UC Riverside. The men's soccer team competes in the University of New Hampshire tournament on Friday and Sunday, September 3 and 5 against New Hampshire and Vermont, respectively. The women's soccer team, fresh off their OHANA Resorts and Hotels Tournament championship in Hawaii, will play in the California Tournament against Columbia (Friday) and California (Sunday). En route to their tournament championship, the Gaels defeated Hawaii (1-0) and wrapped up the tournament title with a 2-1 victory over Pacific.
That's all for now!
Go Gaels!
Carl
