The University is ready to add yet another phase in its growth and development.  This latest endeavor will enhance our athletic and recreational facilities.  There have already been some strides made with the redesign for multiple use of the outside tennis court area.  The commitment to recreation with the hiring of a full-time director is also a significant improvement in providing extracurricular activities for the campus community.

I look forward to these changes as much as I anticipated the development of the campus mall.  With upgraded outdoor facilities, we will be able to continue our success as one of the premier Division I programs in the state of Connecticut.  Over the past 11 years, we have sent 19 teams to compete in NCAA post season tournament play.  Only the University of Connecticut has exceeded that number amongst the seven Division I programs in the state—Yale, Fairfield, Quinnipiac, Sacred Heart, Hartford, UConn and Central.

The growth will also offer our fans, alumni, students and faculty a significantly improved environment

for their enjoyment and to promote recreation.  There will also be opportunities to support this new project, not only by your presence, but also by enhancing various aspects of these projects.  In the upcoming months, I look forward to the construction and development of the projects and will keep you informed as we complete each phase.

Each year we are breaking new ground in our continued growth and development.  Blue Devil fans cannot forget the run to the NCAA Basketball Tournament and the opportunity to play the number one team and top player in the country at the time in Ohio State, Greg Oden, and the football team’s historic win on the road against perennial I-AA power and multiple National Champion Georgia Southern.

This year is no different. This fall we had all four teams playing for NCAA Tournament berths or, in the case of football, the Gridiron Classic.

The men’s soccer team emerged as the highlight of the fall, winning the Conference Tournament to secure an NCAA bid.  They then proceeded to beat Harvard and Tulsa on the road to make it to the “Sweet 16.”  The two historic wins were the first for our men’s teams in NCAA tournament play.

With the successes of the fall past, we can turn our attention to winter and spring.  Can Howie make it more exciting than last year?  Will Beryl Piper, alumnae and Hall of Famer, get the women’s basketball team on a winning track?  I cannot wait, and I hope you are as excited as I am about the present and future of Central Connecticut State University athletics.