Bob Driscoll Chat Wrap

 Bob Driscoll

Check out Providence College Athletics Director's answers to fan questions.

PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- Providence College Athletics Director Bob Driscoll stopped by to answer questions from fans online at www.friars.com on Wednesday, June 9.

Robert Driscoll: Good afternoon, it's great to be online with you and I look forward to our chat about the Friars!

Chuck (Rochester, NY): I was very happy to see the success of this year's Lacrosse team. I have long thought that lacrosse is a sport that PC could really succead in. Are there plans to use this year's season to "ramp up" the program. Besides the new field (which I'm sure will be great)any chance of adding scholarships to the program to attract top recruits, non-conference scheduling, etc.? Thanks - Go Friars!

Robert Driscoll: I'm really proud of the success of the lacrosse program this year. Our new astroturf field will be completed by October 3 and will provide a state-of-the-art facility to build our lacrosse program around. We have plans to add scholarships as we continue to raise money through our Friars Forever Campaign. The astro turf field is a $5.5 million project that we need to fund first.

Kevin, Providence: How are the Dunk negotiations going and what can we expect to see at the Dunk in the future?

Robert Driscoll: The Dunkin' Donuts Center negotiations continue to make good progress and I am confident we will have renovated plans for discussion within the next six weeks. The preliminary drawings are extremely exciting and will provide an outstanding venue for Providence Basketball in the new BIG EAST, and a great place to watch the P-Bruins and world-class concerts.

Mike (Boston): When is the PC athletic Department going to get as serious about seeing the men's hockey team succeed as they are about seeing to it that the men's basketball has all the resources that it needs? Please address the coaching situation for men's hockey team. When can fans expect the change that is needed. Thank you for your candor. I wish you god luck in the future.

Robert Driscoll: For the past two years we have spent the majority of our department's energy on building a successful basketball program. I believe we have accomplished that and we will be turning our attention to the development of a successful hockey program. We have made some administrative changes to ensure that the program will receive the necessary support for success. We have also put together a fund-raising group that will provide the necessary resources to grow the program.

Mike, NYC: Bob, Great job so far in your very young career here at PC, expect to see you at the helm for a long time. I am very aware of the capital campaign that has been initiated under your watch..but i have to ask, given all the professional athletes that have come from PC, (especially basketball) are any of them giving back or being approached by the administration? I have not heard much from the likes of some recent grads like Croshere, Eric Williams, etc..all of whom have signed fabulously rich contracts and not sure if they are part of this capital raise that we are in the process of to compete at the national level. just a thought and would like to see some PC grads give back. thanks for yout time.

Robert Driscoll: We have just hired a new vice-president for development and a director of athletic fund raising during the past six months. We have just completed a fund-raising strategic plan that will help us raise $20 million for facilities and program enhancements. We have identified our top prospects for development and included in this list are former and present professional basketball and hockey players.

Peter, North Kingstown: Is the upcoming men's basketball schedule beginning to develop? Could you tell us about any games against elite teams that will be played?

Robert Driscoll: Virginia will visit the Dunk' this year, along with URI. We will be competing in the Orange Bowl Classic in Miami against former-Friar great Billy Donovan and the Florida Gators. The Gators will return to the Dunk' the following year. We are also in discussions with Oklahoma and we are still investigating the possibilty of hosting the Preseason NIT with the three other hosts being Michigan, Wake Forest and Arizona. We hope to have our non-conference schedule completed shortly. It will be posted on Friars.com when it is ready.

Camarillo, CA: Many softball teams from the midwest, back east and Florida take tournament swings into California. Is it possible for the Friar softball team to come to the west coast? Considering that on this year's roster there were seven girls from California and two from Oregon, it would be nice to be able to watch the team play out west.

Robert Driscoll: Great suggession. As our team continues to develop, we will want to play the top teams in the nation. As evidenced by the Pac 10's dominance in the College World Series, it would be beneficial to play these teams. Having said that it is more expensive to travel to the West Coast than to Florida and we will need to fund raise the additional resources necessary to make such a trip.

Dan, Cranston: what is the status of desean white and quinton hosley's academics?

Robert Driscoll: Because of the Buckley Admendment, I am not able to address questions regarding academics.

Dan in Ohio: Bob, I've seen you at games at the Dunk wearing some very elegant suits and custom shirts...Can you tell me who your clothier is?

Robert Driscoll: Thanks for your kind compliment. I am not sure my wife feels the same way. I can't get these suits anymore, my salesman moved to Ohio! GO FRIARS

Gary, Nashua: Bob you recently were elected to a post within the NCAA, could you tell us what the job is and how it will benefit PC

Robert Driscoll: I was asked to represent the BIG EAST Conference as a member of the NCAA Managment Council. The Council consists of about 40 Division I A.D.s, conference reps and other administrators to create legislation that will shape the direction of college athletics. It benefits PC because of the voice it affords the College.

Bob, Bridgewater: Are there any plans in the works to retire any more jerseys this year? Can you indicate how season tickets will be priced for the coming season? Any expansion of the premium seating sections?

Robert Driscoll: Yes, there are plans to retire some jerseys this season. Those announcements will come this fall. Regarding season tickets, we have created new pricing plans which will allow us to offer a wide range of options in terms of pricing and seat locations. We do not have plans to expand the Friars Forever seating plan to new sections this season.

Dave, Poughkeepsie: Will the Preseason NIT affect our participation in the November tournament in the Virgin Islands.

Robert Driscoll: Since both tournaments are exempt, we can only play in one. A final decision on which tournament we will play in should be made by the beginning of next week. Just as soon as the decision is made we will post it on our web site so that our fans can make appropriate accomodations if they plan on attending.

Justin, CT: when will we see replica basketball game shorts on friars.com ? also new merchandise in general online? thanks..the replica shorts are more practical for some of us and would sell great..any thoughts?

Robert Driscoll: This summer we are taking stock of our inventory and reviewing a number of new items to add to the on-line store of which game shorts will be one of the considerations. The new items will be available by September.

Bob Hartford: Can you better describe the new turf facility? Is it the conventional turf or the newer rubber based surface? Will there be lights, stands, and pressbox?

Robert Driscoll: The surface will be the latest version of astro-turf with an upgraded pad to accomodate both field hockey and lacrosse as well as intramural sports. There will be competitive lighting, spectator seating,scoreboard, press box and all the amenties associated with a $5.5 million competitive facility.

Mike, Boston: You mention above about the administration changes to give the hockey programs the support it needs to be successful, are there plans to do more with the ageing arena? It appears that PC is falling behind all the other schools in the Hockey East. What specifically, beyond some administration changes, are your plans for the future of the hockey program?

Robert Driscoll: You are correct in your assement of Schneider Arena. Our competitors have made significant improvements in their arenas and we will need to keep pace if we hope to be competitive in HOCKEY EAST. Our first step will be the construction of a $7 million state-of-the-art fitness center that we hope to break ground on in the spring of 2005. This facility will include a dedicated varsity athletic weight room that will benefit the recruitment of top level hockey players.

Tony (Providence): In last May's chat you stated you wanted to have the women's hockey team fully funded for what is now the upcoming season. You also said it would be looked into how to honor past M & W hockey players. What have you accomplished in these areas?

Robert Driscoll: We have added 3.5 new scholarships to women's ice hockey this past season and will continue to add scholarships as money becomes available. With respect to honoring our hockey players, we hosted a 30-year women's hockey celebration this past year and continue to conduct annual hockey reunions each summer.

Chris (Oneonta, NY): How would you assess the current state of the Women's BB program? It appears as if we've added some solid recruits, but can we compete in the BE?

Robert Driscoll: You are correct in your assement that we have added some solid recruits to women's basketball this year. We have done a better job scheduling our non-conference games to provide this young team with the opportunity to experience some success as we head into the BIG EAST Conference. It is our goal to compete successfully in the BIG EAST in the years to come and we will do all that we can to support this program.

Gary NH: Could you tell us how the recent golf outing was, who was there and how much you raised?

Robert Driscoll: The recent golf outing was a tremendous success. We raised more than $30,000 for the third consecutive year, which brings our yearly total to $1.1 million (about $300,000 over our initial goal).

John, Camp Pendleton, CA: Coach Burdick has 180?d the lacrosse program to a legitimate Division I team, if you ask him, he?ll say the success is due to you. PC needs to hold onto to him. I understand that funding the turf field is important, as is making our weight room comparable to Division I schools. How do you plan on getting money for scholarships for lacrosse? When I was there, we were assured we would be getting scholarships soon. Lacrosse is always tops in the Conference and competes against funded programs. They are great kids that are not getting arrested; rather they make a contribution to the school. They need a fair shake, that?s all. Semper Fi

Robert Driscoll: John I could not agree with you more. Coach Burdick has done an outstanding job and I am fully committed to raising additional money in support of men's lacrosse.

Tony (Providence): Stability in coaching is a key to scucess. I look at the women's hockey staff and see a staff going into their 6th year and having done a lot with little. On the other hand the men's staff has more time at PC and has little to show. Before infrastruture and other changes go into affect might an overall of the staff be a start?

Robert Driscoll: At the conclusion of each season we sit down with all of our head coaches and evaluate their performance against a predetermined set of goals. Our coaching staff is clear on our programs expectations and we will hold all of us accountable for the achievement of these goals. With respect to men's hockey, I need to do a better job supporting the goals of this program which include the winning of the HOCKEY EAST Championship and qualifying for the NCAA Tournament.

Pau-East Lansing: You mentioned that within 6 weeks, there may be some info. regarding the DDC renovations. Is anything significant planned for the upcoming season? Is there a timeframe as to when the renovations would be completed? Thanks.

Robert Driscoll: Because of the timing of this decision, it would be difficult to make any significant changes to the current facility prior to the upcoming season. Preliminary timeline calls for the start of renovations to begin in the spring of 2005 with an overall anticipated completion date of 2007. Because of the magnitude of the renovations and their cost and not wanting to lose revenue by closing the building the renovations must be spaced out over time.

JP (princeton): in your opinion which athletic program is closest to winning a national championship and might do so in the next couple years?

Robert Driscoll: With the third place finish of the women's cross country team last fall and the return of Kim Smith, the 3,000 and 5,000 NCAA Champ, as well as Mary Cullen, Deirdre Byrne, and Fiona Crombie the team should be ready to challenge for the title. In addition, with women's NCAA hockey field expanding to eight next year, our women's hockey program has the chance of qualifying and competing for a national championship.

Robert Driscoll: Thanks for your interest in Friar athletics. Sorry, I was not able to get to all of the questions. We will have another chat this fall. Have a great summer. GO FRIARS!!!

Providence College Athletics

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