Sports
Sports at AU sets the bar
By Jesse Epstein | 09/04/2003Sports columnist Jesse Epstein discusses the recent drug problems facing college sports and its effect, or lack thereof, at AU.
Delivering American University's news and views since 1925 | Friday, August 6, 2021
Sports columnist Jesse Epstein discusses the recent drug problems facing college sports and its effect, or lack thereof, at AU.
Briefs from the Eagle Sports Desk on administrative turmoil in AU's athletic department.
It was a banner season for AU Cross Country in 2002 as Samia Akbar qualified for the NCAA championships and the Men's and Women's teams each won their first Patriot League titles. This fall, they are hoping to do it again. Practice begins today for AU Cross Country in the hills of Northwest Washington as the men's and women's squads look to build on last year's success.
AU Men's Soccer closed out their preseason with a scrappy 1-0 exhibition win over Towson at Reeves Field on Sunday Afternoon. Familiar faces carried the afternoon. Junior Andrew Herman, last year's leading goal scorer, beat Tiger 'keeper Zak Thompson in the 44th minute after latching onto a through ball from junior Shawn Kuykendall, last year's assist leader.
Eagles Sports columnist Jesse Epstein says, "For the American Eagles, this fall season brings a clean slate. "A new school year.ÿA new Athletic Director (To Be Announced).ÿ And a new opportunity for many of AU's squads to rise to national prominence."
Every year, our nation's leader gives the State of the Union address, outlining the successes and failures of our country. I'm no president, and I won't talk about a country, but here is the State of the D.C. Sports address from Sports Columnist Jesse Epstein.
AU Women's Soccer has plenty of reason to be optimistic about the upcoming season, if last year's campaign is any indication. Head Coach Michael Brady's Eagles captured their first ever Patriot League Championship last year with wins over Navy and Colgate in the PL Tournament.
New additions to the Women's Volleyball team (26-8 overall) might be the difference between playing in the NCAA Tournament and winning in the NCAA Tournament. Head Coach Barry Goldberg and his team ended the 2002 season undefeated in Patriot League action, 14-0.
Briefs on Men's Soccer and Field Hockey from The Eagle Sports Desk.
Senior Samia Akbar becomes an All-American after placing ninth in the women's 10,000-meter run at the NCAA National Track and Field Championships in Sacramento, Calif. on June 12. Senior Sean O'Brien achieved All-American status in the 1500-meter for the third time in his career.
The AU Women's Tennis team may not have won the Patriot League Championship, but the Eagles did not go quietly into the end of the season. Earning the No. 3 seed in the PL Tournament, the team defeated No. 2 seed Colgate 4-3 in the semifinals. Advancing to the championship game, the Eagles faced No. 1 seed Army. The competition proved to be strong and the 2002 defending champions fell to Army, 4-0.
Sports columnist Jesse Epstein writes on WNBA excitement.
The Men's Golf team placed sixth overall in the Patriot League Golf Championship on the weekend of April 26-27. After three rounds of play, the Eagles finished with a team score of 941 with sophomore Chris Schieffer leading the way. Schieffer placed 16th and ended the tournament with a final score of 234, shooting a 75 in the first round.
On the weekend of April 26-27, the AU Women's Lacrosse team celebrated a series of "first-evers." The team hosted their first-ever Patriot League Tournament, won their first-ever Patriot League Championship title and earned its first-ever berth to the NCAA Tournament.
The AU Men's Tennis Team finished their season with a record of 15-4, and their second advancement into the NCAA tournament. This season also marks the team's second consecutive Patriot League Championship. Although the Eagles lost in the NCAA first round to No.
The AU Men's Basketball team suffered an overtime loss to the East Carolina Pirates on Saturday, falling 74-64 at Bender Arena. The Eagles clawed back from a slim halftime deficit with tough defense and the leadership of junior star Patrick Doctor, but the team was grounded in overtime, scoring just four points in the five minute period.
The Eagles (3-13, 1-4) played straight through the AU's winter break, while most of the student body relaxed. The team eventually broke their eight-game losing streak half way through January. In their first game after the break, the Eagles dropped a road game against James Madison 71-60.
Marc Hoffer took off last season to train and wrestle internationally. This season red-shirt junior has returned with a vengeance by amassing a 20-1 record two months into the season. His performance this year makes him a top-contender to become AU's first national wrestling All-American, according to wrestling head coach Rob Puzio.
Despite being overlooked by the NCAA tournament selection committee and being denied by the Colonial Athletic Association to play for a conference title, AU Women's Volleyball team will be recognized Wednesday night during halftime of the Men's Basketball game against Richmond University at 7 p.m.
While President George W. Bush continues to work at filling his presidential cabinet, AU athletic director Dan Radakovich has nearly filled his cabinet of assistant athletic directors. AU hired Radakovich in September as the University's athletic director after former athletic director Lee McElroy left for a similar position at the State University of New York-Albany.
