Four years of improvement for CU Athletics

My first article for Spectator was a football Around the League article in September 2005.

Four years, three PixBox victories, and exactly 130 articles later, it is now time—this is my last-ever article for Spectator, and most likely, the last article I will ever write.
In these four years, I have learned much about journalistic integrity, the nuts and bolts of the Ivy League, and specifically Columbia athletics. I began my time at Columbia not knowing anything about journalism (as was evidenced by my first major article as a freshman, previewing the women’s basketball season) or anything about Columbia sports. Now, as a senior, my writing has matured and my knowledge of Columbia—and Ivy League—basketball is kind of embarrassing.

Throughout the two years I was a columnist, “Pure Overtime” has evolved. It started off as a “greatest hits” of moments I experienced at Columbia—spanning from Justin Armstrong’s game-winning shot to Kevin Bulger’s runner against Harvard. Then it grew into the worst collapses. Then it was a rant about everything in Columbia athletics. Then it was a humorous bit about my experience at Columbia. But now, I think that my four years here have allowed me to offer good insight into how to make Columbia sports near the top of the Ivy League. So, after nearly a dozen drafts and different ideas, here is my senior column.

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Coming to Columbia as a wide-eyed Los Angelino, my expectations for the Lions were minimal. All I knew about Columbia sports was that it represented futility: a 44-game losing streak and an 0-14 basketball campaign just a few years before my arrival in Morningside Heights. I came in expecting the losing tradition to continue. But, somehow, Columbia athletics have changed drastically.

The Lions were once among the worst in the Ivy League, with only two sports—cross country and fencing—being annually competitive. Now, nearly every team is competitive in the conference (with the exception of women’s lacrosse, which finally won its first Ivy League game since 2005 this past month. But it’s not the coaches’ nor the players’ faults—they were set up to fail since the rest of the Ivy League schools have rich traditions in lacrosse). Men’s crew has been a powerhouse the past couple of seasons, finishing in the top six in the country last year. All have improved immensely.

How has Columbia been able to do this? It is a combination of M. Dianne Murphy’s hires and the expanding recruiting. While Murphy has clearly had her misses (Leo Chappel and his 2-17-2 record in Ivy play), her hits have definitely connected. Six years ago, she took a risk on a men’s basketball coach who had no previous head coaching experience. And in that time, Joe Jones has proven to be a great hire.

Jones’ 75-91 record is not too shabby, given the previous coaches. Armond Hill had a .338 winning percentage, Jack Rohan a .338 winning percentage, and Wally Halas clocked in at .231. Jones’ winning percentage currently resides at a robust .481.

Murphy also took considerable risks on both Paul Nixon and Norries Wilson. Neither Nixon nor Wilson had head coaching experience prior to coming to Columbia. But like Jones, who was an assistant at Villanova, both had experience as assistants in high Division I universities and were highly praised for their recruiting. Nixon came from Indiana, whose recruiting classes—under Nixon’s guidance—were ranked in the top 25. Wilson came from the University of Connecticut which, as evidenced by this past weekend’s NFL draft, has improved immensely with Wilson helping that process.

While each has a better record than their predecessors, each means more to their program than wins and losses. Each has expanded recruiting efforts, not just staying in the northeast for talent but going to Florida, Texas, California, and beyond. Each has brought excitement to their sport, something that had been lacking in the programs. Now, when people talk about Columbia football or basketball, it is not followed by a laugh, or a sneer, or a remark about how bad they are. This changing attitude is the first step needed. But there is one more.

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In my opinion, these three coaches, along with alumnus and current owner of the New England Patriots Robert Kraft, have the opportunity right now to shape Columbia athletics and continue to move it in the right direction. While the recruiting has improved, the talent and depth in every sport needs to improve slightly. An obvious way to do this is in our own backyard.

Columbia University in the City of New York. That is the precise title of the university, and it is the easiest recruiting tool for the Lions. New York City has everything to offer—historic sports stadiums, Broadway shows, and everything an 18-year-old kid could ever want. Columbia is the only Ivy League school that offers such an incredible landscape.

Just last weekend, I saw a basketball recruit walking around campus on the same day that the Bacchanal concert and street fair were occurring. With music bumping and a great vibe around 116th, the atmosphere exemplified a perfect recruiting tool for Columbia athletics. Picking and choosing when a recruit comes, in correlation with events on campus or in the greater New York City area, would possibly help convince student-athletes to come to New York City.

While marketing the city and school for recruits is important for developing the depth needed to compete for Ivy League titles, the marketing of CU Athletics to its own students is even more important.

The marketing department has tried some gimmicks that have worked. The homecoming game draws students who normally wouldn’t attend. Furthermore, they had the Student Rewards Program that gave students the opportunity to win prizes for coming to games. However, the attendance has not really improved much in my four years in Morningside Heights.

The way that Columbia can create more fans is two-fold. The school needs to plan more “pep rallies” (or Midnight Manias, which I am still quite angry that the marketing department got rid of). This event brought non-fans and fans alike to basketball games to see how good the Columbia players were. It was a way for students to see how good the individual student-athletes were at their respective sports by watching them in a practice environment.

The marketing ideas recently employed by CU have been good. There is one more that I have. Rather than having every football game on a Saturday afternoon, maybe making one of them on a Friday or Saturday night in early September would make it more fan-friendly. Students can make a night of it—and help add a home-field environment that has been difficult for Columbia to garner.

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After four years at Columbia and Spectator, there are a number of people I must thank for making this experience great.

Darlene and coach Jones: You guys have made the past three years of covering the basketball team memorable and exciting. Hopefully, next year I will be welcomed back to Levien with open arms.

Future of Spectator Sports: While it seems tough right now with the economic downturn affecting the Spec, I know that you guys will do wonders with the section. Just remember: graphics simply make a page look better.

Velazquez, Lisa, Holly, Shapiro: You guys always made the meetings great. Enjoy your remaining years at Columbia. It’ll pass you by really quickly. Hold onto your friends (which is something I know you will do) and remember: keep working on the Spec.

Charles and Michael Shannon: Charles, covering women’s basketball was amazing. Shannon, your humor, as seen in your senior column, is top-notch. Thanks for not taking Spec that seriously.

Anand, Josh, and Kamran: You guys truly made me a better writer and person. You all were like big brothers to me. I don’t know how I could have made it through all four years without you guys.

J-Tay: All the great times. Spec dinners, rock class and 1020 journeys, I couldn’t imagine a more different person becoming a great friend. While you may try to be apathetic with your endeavors, what you’ve done this past semester with the section is truly remarkable.

August: Four years of me making fun of you and me (at first) thinking how could I ever be friends with this kid. And honestly, it’s been easy. You have become one of my best friends and I am truly thankful for all you’ve done. You’ve been there for me through the good and bad. I’ll always view you as a little brother—and will always have your back. (See, I can be nice and not include a link to a certain video).

Thank you Spectator and Columbia for four great years. It has been a pleasure.