Before you say I have no facts, read this article from the Baltimore Business Journal

By now most of you know that Towson University decided to cut its men’s baseball and soccer teams on Friday.  I had been waiting to write this piece because I was waiting for President Loeschke and/or Mike Waddell to answer questions from the media but the chances of this are slim.

Anyways, it seems most of you are upset about this and I’m wondering why.  On Saturday morning, my “Weekend Warriors” (Saturday’s 9am-12pm) crew and I fielded a few calls from listeners expressing their frustration and anger at Towson for cutting their two programs.

These decisions have been in the works for months and I find it funny how so many people now care about what happened at Towson now that has actually happened.  It’s your classic “no one cares till it’s gone” scenario.

I am a student at Towson University.  In my first year at this school I saw a football program go an entire season with one win.  I saw the end of the Pat Kennedy era of the basketball team and the subsequent record breaking losing streak by the basketball program.  However, since those awful years, I have seen back to back CAA Championships from the football team and the greatest Division-1 turnaround of a basketball program ever.  Towson sports are on the rise.  I’ve been to every home game that football has had since I started including the games during the 1-9 season. I went to a number of games during basketball’s losing streak and went to every home game this season for their turnaround. The games I haven’t gone to are those of the soccer and baseball programs and I absolutely love both of these sports having played both of them my entire life.

What’s the point here?

Someone who has no ties (be it family, friend, or groupie) to either team will not attend games of a mediocre college soccer or baseball team.  They will however go to basketball and football games and will turn out in record numbers if they are good as you can see from Towson football’s attendance records from the past two years.  I mean, students even stormed the court after basketball’s final game this year.  You would never and will never see that at a baseball or soccer game.

I couldn’t care less that the administration cut baseball and soccer.  Neither program benefits me or any of my other fellow students at Towson and more importantly, to the administration, they didn’t benefit the university itself.  Football and basketball do however benefit the university and most college students would rather go to these games.

The reality is that college sports are a business and a big one at that.  Football and basketball can benefit a university in many ways.  Publicity is the biggest way.  The CAA’s deal with NBC Sports Network has undoubtedly improved Towson’s visibility and their performance in those televised games has increased their reputation and reach.  More people who know who you are means more people applying to your university.  It’s quite simple actually.  It’s an “arms race” for the most publicity and if Towson thought the best way to compete in it was to cut those two programs then more power to them.  I don’t want my school to lag behind because some people’s feelings will get hurt.

And I sure as hell don’t want my student fees to be raised just so some students can go to school for free and play on mediocre sports teams.

This brings me back to my original question.  Why do you care?  It’s my school and I don’t even care.  There’s absolutely no reason for you to get indignant about it if I’m not.

Don’t get me wrong, I feel for the players involved in these cuts.  They now have to transfer if they want to play their sport elsewhere.  However, what I don’t feel sorry about is that if they stay their scholarships will be honored.  So either way they are still getting a free education.  From someone who will be in debt from their college education expenses, here’s a sarcastic “boohoo”.

You can talk all you want about how the players and coaches were being treated.  They were being fired.  There is no “nice” way to do that.  Peoples’ feelings would have gotten hurt regardless.

So for all those who suddenly care about the cuts at my school: Where were you when no one attended baseball and soccer games?  Where were you when no one stepped up to the plate to donate money or raise funds?

I’m not going to take a holier than though stance like some about this situation.  I won’t blame my school for trying to keep up with the cut throat capitalist mentality of college sports. I don’t want my school to be left behind.  My school has turned its most important athletic programs around in record and stunning fashion.  I’m proud of my Towson Tigers.

Towson Men’s and Women’s Basketball to Open Tiger Arena with Doubleheader Against Navy
The Inaugural Games in Tiger Arena Will Take Place on November 8

TOWSON, Md. – The Towson University men’s and women’s basketball teams will open Tiger Arena with a doubleheader against the United States Naval Academy on Nov. 8, 2013, it was announced by Director of Athletics Mike Waddell today.

“Opening our new arena with a doubleheader against the United States Naval Academy will be a great night for Towson University and college basketball in Baltimore and the State of Maryland,” said Waddell. “To have 5,200 plus fans on our campus experiencing all that our game atmosphere will be in the newest arena on the East Coast will be a happening that will launch a new era in Tiger Basketball. This venue will be a showplace for the Black and Gold and also for other basketball, volleyball, gymnastics and community events year round.”

Tip times for both games are still to be determined along with the rest of the Tiger men’s and women’s basketball schedules, in the fall.

“We’re excited to welcome the Naval Academy for the first basketball games to be played inside Tiger Arena,” said Towson men’s basketball head coach Pat Skerry. “Navy is a quality opponent and we are happy to be playing a team from the state of Maryland in our first game. The atmosphere should be electric as our fans will have their first chance to step in to the nicest arena in the Mid-Atlantic.”

“What a tremendous way to begin a new era of Towson basketball,” said Towson women’s basketball head coach Joe Mathews. “I cannot think of a more exciting and relevant way to open Tiger Arena. The opportunity to celebrate by watching a doubleheader featuring both women’s and men’s programs as we take a major step to the future is significant, but to add the United States Naval Academy as the opponent turns it into major event. This is a great way to launch a new beginning as well as way to pay tribute to and thank the military across the world that provide us the freedoms such as this event to enjoy.“

Tiger Arena is a state-of-the-art, high-tech venue that will also serve as the home for Towson gymnastics and volleyball. The venue will feature approximately four premium mezzanine level private suites, approximately 340 premium loge club seats around the top of the lower bowl, and 120 courtside seats.

Additional amenities include a 1500 sq. ft. hospitality room, and a 680 sq. ft. multipurpose room on the mezzanine on the concourse level.  A new state of the art multimedia studio will also be constructed that will be the nerve center of all TIGERVISION operations for both the Arena and Johnny Unitas® Stadium.

“This event begins it all in style on college basketball’s “first night” and will bookend when both Towson teams play their 2014 CAA Tournaments in Maryland,” said Waddell. “The state will be the host of both CAA post-season tournaments, with the women at the Showplace Arena in Upper Marlboro and the men at the first-ever CAA Tournament downtown at First Mariner Arena in March of 2014.”

Towson Men’s Basketball Announces 2013-14 Recruiting Class
Tigers Ink Three Standouts During Early Signing Period

TOWSON, Md. – Towson University head men’s basketball coach Pat Skerry announced Wednesday that forward John Davis, power forward/center Walter Foster and small forward Shamiek Sheppard have signed national letters of intent to attend Towson University and compete for the Tigers.

“I’m extremely excited about this class and the caliber of kids that we signed,” Skerry said. “All three have great length for their positions and will give us a tremendous amount of flexibility. We like that they are high-character guys that give tremendous effort both on the court and in the classroom. Assistant Coach Luke Murray did an outstanding job of tracking these guys early on and he’s to be commended.”

JOHN DAVIS
Forward, 6-5, 215
Ss. Neumann-Goretti High School/Philadelphia, Pa.

Davis is an athletic wing that has proven to be a tenacious defender and rebounder. The skilled left-hander has earned consecutive first team All-Catholic League selections while playing for head coach Carl Arrigale and assistant coach John Mosco at high school powerhouse Ss. Neumann-Goretti in Philadelphia. As a co-captain of the team, Davis led the Saints to a 28-3 mark last season while averaging 12.9 points and nearly 11 rebounds per game. He failed to score in double digits just twice last season as a junior and he averaged 15.8 points per game in five state tournament contests. A proven winner, Davis and the Saints have claimed the Catholic League and City titles in each of his three seasons while also winning three consecutive PIAA Class AAA state championships.

According to ESPN’s recruiting service, Davis is “especially dangerous along the baseline but can also make straight line power drives from the perimeter or play with his back to the basket with good instincts and effectiveness. He’s got a knack for putting the ball in the basket and inside of 15-feet there aren’t a whole lot of guys who do that more consistently. He’s a scrappy player, able to defend bigger players inside, and he’s active rebounding the ball on both ends.”

Additionally, Davis earned MVP honors this past May at the Wayne Ellington All-City Basketball Classic in Philadelphia. Davis played AAU basketball for Team Final, coached by Rob Brown.

Skerry on Davis: “John Davis is a guy that our staff has recruited since we got here. He’s a left-handed forward who we expect to transition to the wing pretty quickly. He’s part of a big-time high school program in Philadelphia. John’s a winner who is tough and knows how to play the game. He’s a high-character kid that can play physical and has also shown that he’s a terrific passer.”

WALTER FOSTER
Forward/Center, 6-8, 230
Fishburne Military Academy (Va.)/Atlanta, Ga.

Foster is spending a post-graduate year at Fishburne Military Academy in Waynesboro, Va. after starring for Booker T. Washington High School in Atlanta, Ga. He is a physical forward/center who is known for his rebounding, but can also score both inside and out. A 2011-12 Georgia Sports Writers Association Class AAA first team All-State selection, Foster averaged 18.0 points and 11.0 rebounds per game as a senior, guiding Booker T. Washington and head coach Ed Huckaby to a 17-9 record.

Fishburne is ranked as the No. 3 prep-school team in the United States and Foster is one of nine players on the 2012-13 roster who is signing with a Division I school this fall.

Skerry on Foster: “Walter Foster is a guy that we jumped on this fall and we are extremely excited about him. He’s 6-8 but with a 7-1 reach. He’s well coached and can play both front court positions. His frame can fill up and he’s got a really high ceiling. He will give us a lot of depth and versatility up front.”

SHAMIEK SHEPPARD
Forward, 6-5, 210
South Shore High School/Brooklyn, N.Y.

Sheppard is a three-star prospect that was ranked as the ninth best player coming out of the state of New York according to Rivals.com. He’s been a starter since his freshman season at South Shore High School. As a junior in 2011-12, he averaged 12.4 points and 8.3 rebounds per game. He’s averaged double digits in points all three years. Sheppard is tremendous in the open floor and excels when finishing around the basket.

According to ESPN’s recruiting services, Sheppard is an “incredible athlete with the big time bounce to play above the rim like few others can. He has a great motor, strong body and aggressive demeanor on the court. He goes hard to the rim, isn’t bothered by contact, and will also take smaller defenders to the post and overpower them. He gets out and runs his lanes hard in transition and is an exceptional finisher. His physical tools and toughness also make him a valuable on the ball defender.”

Skerry on Sheppard: “Shamiek Sheppard will be our most athletic perimeter player next year. He’s a strong, powerful athlete who plays really hard and guards at a high level. Shamiek is a perimeter guy who can really get off the floor. He can run and jump with anybody in our league. He’s got a lot of physical tools that we’re excited about.”

The Towson University football program was robbed of a spot in the 2012 FCS Playoffs today.  The selection committee who determines who makes the cut and who doesn’t, is shrouded in mystery.  No one truly knows the criteria in order to make it except that each conference has one automatic bid.

This year, Towson repeated as champions of the CAA (sharing it with four other teams) and finished with a 7-4 overall record and 6-2 in the CAA.  They finished the season with a 4 game win streak knowing that their playoff hopes were on the line.  All five of their conference road games were against ranked opponents.  They won all but one, against James Madison; a game in which they had the lead in the final minutes but lost 13-10.

Towson finished the season ranked 15^th in the Sports Network FCS poll, the poll widely recognized as the definitive poll in FCS play.  They were never unranked at any point.  They were 1-2 in their non conference schedule, beating St. Francis.  Their two losses came against LSU, who are 3^rd in the BCS rankings, and Kent State who had one loss and won the MAC conference.  They put up points against both teams and even lead LSU at one point in the game.

In the FCS playoffs, 10 teams receive an automatic bid for “winning” their conference.  Villanova received the autobid from the CAA even though 4 teams were co-champions.  They received the bid based on combined record against the remaining 3 teams (Towson, New Hampshire, and Richmond).  Towson beat Villanova by 14 on the road.

The remaining 10 spots are “at large” and take into account the teams who didn’t receive their conference’s autobid. They were given to Cal Poly (Big Sky), Appalachian State (Southern), Illinois State (Missouri Valley), Montana State (Big Sky), New Hampshire (CAA), Old Dominion (CAA), Sam Houston State (Southland), South Dakota State (Missouri Valley), Stony Brook (Big South) and Wofford (Southern).

I have no qualms with ODU making it because they beat Towson and are clearly one of the best teams at the FCS level though they are moving to the FBS level Conference USA next season and their non conference schedule includes imposing Duquesne, Hampton and Campbell (sarcasm implied).  I do, however, wonder how New Hampshire made it over Towson even though the Tigers beat them on the road by 29 points. Also, New Hampshire’s out of conference schedule included Holy Cross, Minnesota, and Central Connecticut.  Overwhelming right? Yeah didn’t think so.

I also take issue with the fact that two teams ranked below Towson (Illinois State at 16^th and South Dakota State at 19^th) made it in over them.  Illinois State’s non conference schedule included Dayton, Eastern Michigan, and Eastern Illinois.  While South Dakota State’s included Kansas, South East Louisiana and UC Davis.  How can you penalize Towson for playing a harder schedule than most teams.

How does the 15^th best team in the FCS not make it into a 20 team playoff that should be comprised of the best teams in the nation? Towson not only should have made it over half these teams but also should have hosted a game. I mean they beat two out of the three teams that made it from their own conference!

My first thought was money. As it should be with the NCAA.  However, Towson sold out their playoff game last year against Lehigh so that couldn’t be it, right?

Towson isn’t the only team that got snubbed.  CAA teams, Richmond and JMU should have also received a bid.  It baffles me how the best conference in the FCS, often referred to as the SEC of the FCS, has so many snubs.

The university, the players, the students, and the fans were robbed of one more game with a group of seniors who brought football back to my school and made Saturdays fun again.  I hope the FCS selection committee can sleep at night knowing that their decisions have no integrity or merit after these decisions.

TOWSON TO HOST 2014 NCAA WOMEN’S LACROSSE NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP

Tigers to Host Event for Fourth Time

TOWSON, Md. – Towson University will be the host institution for the 2014 NCAA Division I Women’s Lacrosse National Championship, it was announced by the NCAA on Thursday.

This will mark the fourth time that Towson has hosted the women’s lacrosse national championship at Minnegan Field at Johnny Unitas® Stadium. Towson previously hosted the championship in 2008, 2009 and 2010 in Unitas Stadium.

“The NCAA Women’s Lacrosse Committee is thrilled that the championship will be making a return to Towson University in 2014,” said Ann-Marie Guglieri, chair of the NCAA Division I Women’s Lacrosse Committee and senior associate athletic director for internal operations/senior woman administrator at Colgate University.  “When Towson University hosted the championship from 2008 to 2010, our student-athletes and fans experienced a first-class event in a vibrant lacrosse community.  We are excited that the 2014 Women’s Lacrosse Championship will be making a return to that exciting environment.”

The 2010 event proved to be a record setting one as 9,782 watched the national championship game in which Maryland defeated Northwestern, 13-11. It was the largest crowd ever to watch a women’s lacrosse game in the United States. Towson set the attendance record each year it hosted the event, capped by a total of 18,564 for the three games in 2010.

“Hosting the 2014 NCAA Women’s Lacrosse Championship is a privilege and honor that not only enhances the Towson University student-athlete experience but also brings a national audience to our campus for a premier sport in the Baltimore community,” says Towson University President Maravene Loeschke.

“Towson University is excited to bring an outstanding event like the women’s lacrosse national championship back home to Baltimore,” said Towson Director of Athletics, Mike Waddell. “Our campus has hosted this event three out of the last five years. Once again, we will roll out the red carpet for the NCAA and many fans that will help us sell out Johnny Unitas® Stadium as we create an outstanding environment for the championship weekend.”

Before the 2014 championship comes to Towson, the 2013 NCAA Division I Women’s Lacrosse Championships will take place at Villanova Stadium at Villanova University on May 24 and 26.

GRANT ENDERS NAMED AS CAA OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK

Senior Quarterback Led Tigers to 49-35 Win At Villanova With 391 Yards Of Total Offense

RICHMOND, Va. – Senior quarterback Grant Enders (Old Mill H.S./Millersville, Md.) of Towson University has been named as the Colonial Athletic Association Offensive Player of the Week for the week ending Oct. 27, it has been announced by CAA officials.

A second-year starter for the nationally-ranked Tigers, Enders earned the award for the third time in his career by leading the Tigers to a 49-35 victory over CAA co-leader Villanova on Saturday.

In 2011, he was named as the CAA Offensive Player of the Week after leading Towson to wins over Morgan State and Old Dominion.

Against Villanova, Enders directed an offense that scored 49 points and rolled up 590 total yards. It was the most points allowed by the Wildcats in a game in eight years while Towson’s 590 yards were the most for the Tigers since 2006.

Enders helped the Tigers build a 35-28 halftime lead as he threw a career high four touchdown passes before intermission. In the first half, he threw an 18-yard touchdown pass to senior Tom Ryan (Father Judge H.S./Philadelphia, Pa.), a career long 78-yard TD pass to sophomore Terrance West (Northwestern H.S./Baltimore, Md.), a 14-yard touchdown pass to sophomore tight end Daniel Vaughan (Oscar F. Smith H.S./Chesapeake, Va.) and an 11-yard touchdown pass to sophomore Spencer Wilkins (Mount Hebron H.S./Ellicott City, Md.) with two seconds left in the half.

With the score tied at 28-28 and 2:57 remaining in the half, Enders directed a 73-yard, 12-play drive that enabled the Tigers to take a lead at halftime.

Enders accumulated a career high 391 yards of total offense against the Wildcats. He completed 16 of 28 passes for 269 yards and four touchdowns. He also beat the Wildcats with his legs by running for a career high 122 yards on 12 carries with a touchdown. With 2:32 left in the third quarter, Enders ran for a 40-yard touchdown that gave Towson a 49-35 lead.

In the fourth quarter, he directed a ball-control offense which used up 10:59 of the fourth quarter.

Enders is third in the CAA with an average of 275.8 yards of total offense per game. In eight games, he has completed 148 of 235 passes for 1,669 yards and 11 touchdowns with eight interceptions. He ranks fourth in the CAA in passing average.

With 537 yards on 74 carries and four touchdowns, he is the ninth-leading rusher in the CAA. His 537 yards is a Towson single season record for quarterbacks. With 924 rushing yards on 165 carries in his career, Enders needs only 76 rushing

yards to become the first quarterback in Towson history to rush for 1,000 yards.

“He is an incredibly efficient quarterback,” says Coach Rob Ambrose. “As well as he understands the offense, he understands his teammates better. Grant is an excellent team leader and he is very strong. He has a quick release and he is very accurate. One of the most surprising things about him is that he is much faster than he looks.”

The Tigers, who are 4-4 overall and 3-2 in the CAA, return to action on Saturday, Nov. 3 at Delaware at 12 noon.

– TowsonTigers.com –

TOWSON, Md. – Towson University’s Department of Athletics and the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life are co-sponsoring an event in the Towson Center on Friday, Oct. 12. Yell the Madness, a combination of Athletics’ Midnight Madness and Greek Life’s Yell Like Hell events, will introduce Towson’s winter sports teams while having groups of fraternities and sororities perform skits in front of thousands.

Yell the Madness will take place during Family Weekend, where Towson student’s families will have the opportunity to watch this event for free. Doors open at 6:45 p.m. with the first event starting at 7:15 p.m.

Along with the fraternities and sororities, the Towson men’s and women’s basketball teams and gymnastics team will be participating in this event. Performances will also be made by the Towson Cheerleaders, Dance Team and Pom Squad.

The event will feature a live DJ and will be hosted by Spiro Morekas. Complimentary drinks will be provided while supplies last.

Saturday, September 22^nd is Towson University’s football homecoming game.  Let me repeat.  Saturday, September 22^nd is Towson University’s football homecoming game.  Ok, glad we got that straight because some people in the Towson community believe it is Towson’s homecoming party.

Homecoming, at every school, is first and foremost a football game.  I realize that in past years Towson’s games have been less than entertaining but now Towson has a great football team.  A team that was fun to watch last year and probably will be this year too.

So why am I mad at people for wanting to enjoy homecoming?

Well, Towson recently released a modified parking and tailgate rules for the homecoming game that has a few of my fellow students in a bit of a hissy fit.

For those of you not familiar with the previous rules, well, there weren’t really any.  Sure there were rules in place on what you could bring and who could consume it (obviously 21 and above) but these rules were never really enforced and were completely thrown out the window every year at homecoming; which students used as their annual “let’s get wasted and not go to the game” party.

So who can blame Towson for adding some structure to this otherwise anarchistic event.  Especially with the success of team.  The homecoming pre-game tailgate this year will have a school sponsored beer truck that you can pay three dollars for a beer and a limit of three beers if you are over 21, obviously.  Seems like a reasonable thing to deal with for one game.  Let me stress that. It’s ONE GAME.

Well these “restrictions” have some students so up in arms that they have organized a boycott of the game.  This is where I take issue.  The fact that some students’ values are so out of place that they are going to boycott a football game over a few beers is utterly baffling to me.

The students and coaches on the football team did nothing to deserve a boycott of one of the most important games of the year.  You (the people who go overboard during tailgating, don’t even come to the games, or leave at halftime to go party more) did this to yourselves.  Towson is being lenient here.  They don’t owe you a place to party.  For years Towson has allowed you free reign and now they want to tighten things up because the school is getting more exposure and they want to look good.  How can you blame them for that?

I realize homecoming is time for fun and celebration and so does Towson.  Therefore students will be able to park FOR FREE on any campus lot besides the stadium ones and party however they would like.  They would just have to walk a little further than across the street to get to the game.  That really makes me feel sorry for them…not.

I love this new idea.  I think it will cut down on underage drinking, at least around the stadium.  And I think it will make it so only real fans of the team will come to the games.  Making the atmosphere in the stands a lot better.

Here is my message to those considering boycotting the homecoming game: Don’t come.  We (the people who care about the team and how well we do) don’t want you there.  Usually you waste tickets anyway when you leave at half time.  Homecoming is for football now at Towson, not an excuse to party.

TOWSON MEN’S LACROSSE TO HOST KEIO UNIVERSITY SEPT. 26

Tigers will face off against the Japanese team at 7:30 p.m. at Johnny Unitas ® Stadium

TOWSON, Md. – The Towson University men’s lacrosse team will host Japan’s Keio University for a friendly international game on Wednesday, Sept. 26 at 7:30 p.m. at Johnny Unitas® Stadium, head coach Shawn Nadelen announced today.

“Towson Lacrosse is very excited to host Keio University,” said Nadelen. “It is the premier lacrosse-playing school in Japan.  Keio is very passionate for the sport of lacrosse, and it is displayed in how they perform on the field.  We are honored to have Keio at Towson, and our players will share in a great experience playing against the Japanese players.  We look forward to having a competitive game. “

Keio University is visiting Towson as part of a larger trip abroad to gain playing experience and participate in cultural exchange. The team has a long history of visiting the U.S. for friendly games and of hosting U.S. teams in Japan. Keio University students were instrumental in founding and promoting lacrosse in Japan.

The Keio University lacrosse players have experienced some success on the international level, playing for the bronze medal at the 2010 Federation of International Lacrosse Championship in Manchester, England.

- TowsonTigers.com -