Providence College Athletics
Bob's Blog
1/19/2011 12:00:00 AM | General
Jan. 19, 2011
Fans,
I recently attended the 2011 NCAA Convention in San Antonio. At the Convention, some interesting presentations were given by various members of the NCAA including one by NCAA Senior Vice President Greg Shaheen regarding the men's basketball championship expansion. This season the men's basketball championship will grow from 65 teams to 68. There will be two "Opening Round" play-in games held in Dayton, Ohio. The expansion of the tournament field will increase interest in the tournament and help increase the NCAA's leverage as they prepare to negotiate a new television contract with CBS. The NCAA's current contract with the network is due to expire after the 2012 tournament.
From San Antonio I flew to South Florida to support our Friar men's basketball team. In Tampa, the athletics department hosted 35 PC alums at a pregame reception. At the reception I shared the good news of the College's $140 million capital campaign and the 25% rise in early admissions applicants (compared to 2010 applicants). The increase in applicants is an indication of the improving quality of academia here at PC. This is an encouraging sign for Providence because we are, largely, a tuition-based institution.
As a side note, the second episode of Friars All Access can be seen tonight (1/19) at 6:00 p.m. on Cox Channel 3. The Show also airs Sundays at 10:30 a.m. and Mondays at 9:00 p.m. The Show, which highlights the Friar men's basketball season week-by-week, features players, coaches and special guests. Freshman guard Bryce Cotton is this week's guest.
See you around Friartown!
BD
