AU men’s basketball capped their 10th straight victory last night, extending their dominance within the Patriot League. The student section in Bender Arena was relatively full, and for the first time in a long time, AU Athletics appears to be moving in the right direction.
The success of men’s basketball has been spearheaded by first-year head coach Mike Brennan, who spent the previous four seasons coaching under John Thompson III at Georgetown University. As a Princeton University alumnus, Brennan has implemented the “Princeton Offense,” which he learned as a protege of coaching legend Pete Carill (who so famously upset UCLA in the 1996 NCAA tournament).
After a 3-7 start to the season, this new style of play has resulted in the longest win streak for men’s basketball since 2009 when AU won 13 straight games on their way to an NCAA tournament berth. Brennan was a member of that coaching staff.
However, men’s basketball is not the only successful team giving students something to cheer for this year. Women’s basketball currently sits third in the Patriot League standings a year after they posted their worst record in five seasons. And women’s soccer finished top four in the conference. Both teams have new head coaches. Credit should be given to first-year Athletic Director Billy Walker for hiring both head basketball coaches and leading a successful transition in general.
Students should take pride in the Athletic Department’s most recent hot streak. However, similar successes have occurred in past years, only to be followed up with mediocrity and disappointment. Sustaining the winning ways of 2013-2014 will come in two different forms.
First, the Athletics Department will need to keep its foot on the gas pedal. Yes, things look good at the moment, but they will need to ensure that this season is not an outlier by providing the means necessary to land top tier recruits.
Second, the student body needs to genuinely support winning teams. Home game attendance has been atypically high so far this season, but much of that success could be credited to successful marketing promotions. Free Chipotle shouldn’t be the only force motivating students to watch their undefeated team play.
For now, AU students really do have a sports program to be proud of. Unlike previous years of success, that pride should not be paired with satisfaction. If the recent hires within the Athletics Department are truly something to behold, 2013-2014 should only be a stepping stone.-E
