| Robert Driscoll Chat Wrap On Thursday, August 28 from 4:00-5:00 PM EDT, Providence College Athletics Director Robert Driscoll answered questions online at www.friars.com. |
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 |  | Robert Driscoll: Greetings Friar fans! It is great to be on-line and I am looking forward to a productive and informative on-line chat today. |
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| Danny, Providence: I know that it is your goal to keep the BE together in some form. If it becomes apparent that the league will dissolve, what are your feelings as to the ultimate conclusion and PC's future in the big picture of college basketball? Thank you! |
| | Robert Driscoll: It is my goal to ensure that Friar basketball always plays at the highest level. I believe that we can continue to compete on the national level. On going discussions regarding the future of the BIG EAST Conference have been very productive and I am confident that Providence College will continue to play a major role in the league. |
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| Jon Schwab class of 2006: It is not hard to see that the student attendance at hockey games is less than desired. Are there any plans to attempt to increase the attendance this season? |
| | Robert Driscoll: We want our student-athletes to be supported by their peers. I would strongly encourage all students to attend all our home athletic events. Athletics are an integral part of the campus environment. Our marketing department works hard to inform the students about the dates and times of the games. We have a number of promotions planned for the hockey games this season. I am confident it will result in greater attendance by our students this year. |
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| Richard (Cranston): Bob, Is it realistic to expect any significant improvements to the Dunk this year or next? Thank you. |
| | Robert Driscoll: Yes, we are in discussions with the Dunkin? Donuts Center to make a number of improvements for this season. Areas that we hope to address are television monitors at all concession stands and a Friar Club Room for Front Court Club members. We also have discussed the need for a new sound system and a video scoreboard for replays. I am not sure this be accomplished by this season. However, it is a real priority for us and the Dunkin? Donuts Center Administrators. |
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| Richard (Cranston): Will PC be allotted a generous portion of tickets for the URI game, along with band and cheerleader presence, as URI was last year? |
| | Robert Driscoll: We are working with URI on these details as this is the first year that the game will be played on their campus in some time. Our goal is to have as many of our fans attend the game to support the Friars. |
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| Bobby (McDermott): What are your plans to improve Midnight Madness, Transportation the Dunk', and student attendance at the Basketball Games this year? -The Blonde Afro Kid |
| | Robert Driscoll: We are currently discussing many different ideas for Late Night Madness as we meet with student organizations on campus. We are confident that we will have an improved atmosphere at the annual event. Regarding the buses, we plan to add some additional buses to pick students up before and after men?s basketball games. We have also reduced ticket prices for the students and we are eliminating the cost of the games during Christmas break. |
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| R.C. (Orlando): As recently as 1999, our average game attendance was at 10,000. Has the optimism about the upcoming season produced increased ticket sales? Do we have a goal to be achieved this year? |
| | Robert Driscoll: Season ticket sales have been going well so far this summer. We will begin advertising for ticket sales in September. Two years ago we averaged about 8,000 fans per game. Last year, we averaged over 9,000 per game for the regular season. Our goal this year is to average more than 10,000 fans per game. With the best home schedule in the last 10 years and with all our starters returning from last season?s successful team, I am confident the fans will come out and support the Friars. |
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| Lisa Gilbride: Have you hired a new tennis coach, and if so, who is it? How are the new tennis courts coming along. Lisa |
| | Robert Driscoll: Our former Coach and current Assistant Athletic Director Carl LaBranche conducted a search this summer. We are close to finalizing the hiring of a new coach. We have a strong candidate that should be announced shortly. The new courts should be ready for the start of school. |
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| Pat - Fresno, CA: There are many Friar Fans in California anxiously awaiting the Friar Fan Merchandise website to be re-stocked to purchase sportswear on the internet. Will this be addressed soon? Thanks and GO FRIARS! |
| | Robert Driscoll: We have been working hard the past month to provide fans with a venue to purchase the latest in Friar gear. I am pleased to announce the on-line store will be up and running in mid September. |
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| Chris Pawtucket: As a long time season ticket holder for the hockey team, I am dismayed to hear the rumors that the beloved skating friar is being done away with. Is it true that the best, most unique logo in all of D-1 hockey will skate no more? |
| | Robert Driscoll: The Skating Friar will remain an important part of the PC hockey tradition. We are incorporating the new PC logos into the hockey program, and will continue to use the Skating Friar as well. |
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| Dave, Cranston: When is the official schedule released for the 2003-2004 season? |
| | Robert Driscoll: We can?t release our complete schedule until the BIG EAST completes its scheduling. In the past this has occurred in early to mid September. We will release our schedule as soon as we receive it from the league. |
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| Janelle ( Providence): What are your thoughts on making crew a varsity sport here at PC. Currently it is a club sport. |
| | Robert Driscoll: Crew is an up and coming sport in the NCAA. Many schools have added crew in the last 10 years. However, our first priority is to concentrate on improving the facilities and support for our current athletic teams before we look at adding additional varsity teams. |
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| Lou from Connecticut: I have not renewed my season tickets but not because of the seat fee. Are there any other ticket packages other than the $99 end zone deal? Packages would obviously sell more tickets and would entice new fan interest and build the fan base. |
| | Robert Driscoll: The ticket office offers three season ticket packages ($99, $270, $414). The $99 season tickets are located in the upper end zones, the $414 tickets are located on the side court, lower level, and the $270 tickets includes the rest of the arena. There are good seat locations available for each of these packages to order season tickets or for questions please call the ticket office at 865-GO PC! |
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| Mikey B, Plum Island: Any progress on reviving the baseball program? |
| | Robert Driscoll: As a former college player and coach I would like nothing more than to bring baseball back, however, it is a question of resources. We are working hard at funding all of our current programs at a level that we can be successful. Until that is acheived any discussions regarding baseball are premature. |
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| Andrew (Glastonbury Ct): I feel the men's lacrosse team has plenty of potential for success. Where do you envision the future of this program heading? |
| | Robert Driscoll: We have plans to build an artificially surfaced field this spring along with a new weight facility that will have a positive impact on the future of the men's lacrosse program. We have just recently added a full time assistant coach in lacrosse. Our goal is to win the MAAC Championship in lacrosse. |
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| Derek (Fall River): I totally support the Friars Forever program. How many of the 2600 seats have been renewed? |
| | Robert Driscoll: Thank you for your support of the Friars Forever program. These dollars will significantly impact the quality of our student-athletes experiences at Providence College. It is our goal to have an 80 percent renewal rate in the Friars Forever seating area, at this point we are on schedule to meet or possibly exceed our goal. |
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| Bob - Warwick: Robert, Do you feel coach Welsh is having trouble recruiting kids for next year due to the uncertainty surrounding the league? With 5 scholarships to fill this is an obvious concern... |
| | Robert Driscoll: We have not experienced any adverse impact on recruiting as a result of the BIG EAST issue. Recruiting has gone very well to date with verbal comits from two outstanding student-athletes. |
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| Mike (providence): I thought the Friartown campaign last was a great idea! Will there be new things in the Friartown campaign this yearlike commercials billboards and other marketing ideas? Go Friars |
| | Robert Driscoll: Yes, our advertising campaign will begin in mid September. The theme is "Friartown...Welcome to Gameday!" We will have a greater media presence with additional television commercials, highway billboards, newspaper ads and radio ads. |
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| Steve: Hey Bob. Where do you see the womens soccer program heading? They really havent made any strides in the last few years. |
| | Robert Driscoll: I have high aspirations for our women's soccer program. I am confident with the young talent that we have and a renewed emphasis and support by the department, women's soccer has a bright future at Providence College. |
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| Richard - Coventry: Schneider is going to enter its 4th decade of use this season. Any plans on upgrades or modernization to that facility |
| | Robert Driscoll: Schneider is in need of additional upgrades in the years to come, i.e. weight room, lockerroom, offices, etc. We hope to embark upon a fundraising plan for improved an facility two to three years out. |
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| Rich - Lincoln: Bob, Are the donations required for men's basketball season tickets going towards the men's basketball team or being spread amongst all Friar athletics. |
| | Robert Driscoll: The success of the men's basketball program is critical to our department. Consequently, we are going to use these resources to support the program in all ways necessary to ensure success. Resources from the Friars Forever campaign will also be used to improve the experiences of all our student-athletes. |
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| BILL FROM PA.: Do we know what games will be on national tv next season? |
| | Robert Driscoll: The BIG EAST will notify us within the next two weeks with the final tv schedule. Given the strength of our schedule we hope that several of our games will be televised national tv. |
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| Paul (Westerly): Are you concerned about how a proposed Hockey Arena for the PBruins in Warwick might impact needed renovations to the Dunk |
| | Robert Driscoll: The Dunkin' Donuts Center is in real need of a face lift and regardless of what the P-Bruins decide, I believe the city and state will make the necesary arrangements in the future to renovate/improve the current facility. |
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| Richard - Coventry: Our woman's team is defending Hockey East Champs. Over the past few months though several of the other teams have taken steps to move forward. What are we doing to maintaining our edge? |
| | Robert Driscoll: We have recently hired a new strength and conditioning coach that our women's hockey players are working with. We are currently recruiting some of the top prospects in the nation and we have added additional resources to our staff. |
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| Joe...Lincoln: Will you, personally, represent PC at the next meeting that will determine the future of the conference? |
| | Robert Driscoll: When the final decision with the respect to the future of the BIG EAST is made, both Fr. Smith and myself, will be present and very involved in shaping the future direction of the conference. |
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| Bob (Albany): Who is the new full time asst. coach for lacrosse? |
| | Robert Driscoll: Keith Loftis is our new full-time assistant lacrosse coach and he is doing a great job. |
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| Jerry Warwick: Bob,while the mensbb program is improving it seems like the womans team is regressing because of transfers .what can be done to keep the players here |
| | Robert Driscoll: It is not unusual when a new coaching staff assumes leadership that a certain number of former student-athletes chose to take their talents elsewhere. Our recruiting is going very well and the coaching that our current student-athletes are receiving under Susan Yow's direction is as good as I have been around. |
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| Tom in Cranston: Do you forsee a BE with Luisville, Marquette, Cincinnati, DePaul, Xavier and Dayton added? |
| | Robert Driscoll: It is premature to speculate on prospective additions to the conference. Suffice it to say that any new additions will be closely scrutinized for academic and athletic compatibility. |
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| BILL FROM PHILLY: When will MAL BROWN be held? |
| | Robert Driscoll: The Mal Brown Scrimmage is scheduled to take place on Oct. 25th as part of the inaugural Friar Fanfest. The event will include autograph sessions, interactive games for kids and select-a-seat. More information will be posted in the next couple of weeks. |
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| Hairston, (Washington, D.C.): You mention the PC baseball was a question of resources... What is the magic number $ to bring back the program? There are several professional baseball alumni that would contribute to the program |
| | Robert Driscoll: The cost of running a successful Division 1 men's baseball program is approximately $1 million annually. That does not include the cost of building a state-of-the-art facility. |
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| RJ: Hey Mr. Driscoll! With the push for more students to attend games--that is, ALL GAMES--have you spoken to athletes about making more of an effort with the student body in getting them to come out? |
| | Robert Driscoll: We have plans to visit the dorms with Coach Welsh, his team, cheerleaders and mascots asking for their support for the season. |
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| Mike - Cranston: After almost 2 years here what accomplishment do you take the most pride in? |
| | Robert Driscoll: After a year and a half on the job, the one thing that I take the most pride in is the tremendous support I have received from the college and the community of my vision for Providence Athletics. We want to become the most respected program in the nation, acheiving 100 percent graduation and competing for conference and national championships. |
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| Paul (Westerly): These chats are a great idea. Is there any chance they could be extended to include chats with the coaching staff? |
| | Robert Driscoll: Yes, we could include coach Welsh, Coach Yow or any other members of our staff that you would like to hear from. Just let us know your thoughts. |
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| Tom (NY City): Bob: Can you provide an update on the new PC soccer/track complex and give some thoughts as to the future of mens & womens soccer at PC. Thanks.. |
| | Robert Driscoll: With the completion of the astro turf field and the weight complex in the coming year, we hope to embark upon the necessary fundraising to complete our track/soccer stadium. We are in the process of determining the costs associated with this project and as soon as we do, we will embark upon a fundraising campaign. This facility should ensure the future success of our cross country/track/soccer programs. |
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| | Robert Driscoll: With the completion of the astro turf field and the weight complex in the coming year, we hope to embark upon the necessary fundraising to complete our track/soccer stadium. We are in the process of determining the costs associated with this project and as soon as we do, we will embark upon a fundraising campaign. This facility should ensure the future success of our cross country/track/soccer programs. |
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| | Robert Driscoll: Thank you for your participation today and for your support of Friar AThletics! We will be back again in six weeks. Go Friars! |
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