Letter from the AD
Diehard Fan Base Starts from Within
No one ever said that building a diehard fan base at Northeastern would be easy. Northeastern is a unique urban institution faced with many challenges on the athletic front. Why is it so difficult to build a fan base when Northeastern resides in the city The Sporting News called the #1 Sports City in the country? Northeastern must compete with many entertainment options throughout the city. Boston sports fans may choose from many top notch professional sports franchises and collegiate teams.
Grass Roots Approach is Beginning to Bear Dividends
The Husky Athletics Club has initiated a grass roots approach to create a diehard fan base. The grass roots approach focuses our marketing efforts on campus. In theory the grass roots approach is simple: build a fan base from within. In the past, most Northeastern students commuted to campus from surrounding areas. Keeping students on campus into the evening for games was difficult. This is the new Northeastern. The transition from a commuter campus to a residential campus is nearing completion. It is the goal of the Husky Athletics Club to reach out to the new residential campus community and develop a sense of Husky Pride. The Husky Athletics Club has gone back to the basics and the basics are beginning to pay dividends.
Freshmen Revive Husky Pride, Form the SWAT Squad!
The time is now for Northeastern Athletics to turn today’s freshmen students into tomorrow’s diehard fans. The freshmen class has been identified as a key component of the grass roots approach and they are responding. The student section at the Cabot Center has been sold out for three of the first five home men’s basketball games. The Class of 2009 is starting new traditions at athletic events and have created the Cabot SWAT Squad. The SWAT Squad is the Solomon Court version of the Matthews Arena Dog House. Don’t miss the excitement, get your tickets early!
Capacity Crowd Rocks the Cabot Center
Fans filled the Cabot Center for the men’s basketball game against Vermont on Wednesday night. There were 2,089 fans in attendance for the second sellout in two years at Solomon Court. The capacity crowd topped the season-high mark of 1,704 fans that cheered on the Huskies at the home opener against Wright State. Lines began forming two hours prior to game time forcing the ticket office to open early. Men’s basketball is averaging 1,483 fans per game in five home dates, a 30 percent increase in attendance. The increase is evidence that times are changing on the Northeastern campus.
Classroom Success Equals Competitive Excellence
Classroom success is the back bone of a successful athletics department. This fall, 21 student-athletes recorded a GPA of 3.8 or higher and nine Husky teams raised their team GPA. Congratulations to baseball, women’s crew, field hockey, men’s ice hockey, women’s ice hockey, men’s track and cross country, women’s track and cross country, swimming and diving, and women’s soccer for a successful Fall season in the classroom.
The Beanpot is Just Around the Corner
The 53rd annual Beanpot Tournament is just around the corner. This season marks the 25th anniversary of Northeastern’s 1980 Beanpot Championship team. Do not miss out on the most famous tournament in college hockey. Purchase season tickets to Northeastern hockey and you will have guaranteed access to Beanpot tickets.
Happy New Year!
Thank you for your support this past year! We look forward to building upon our athletic success in 2005. On behalf of NU Athletics, I would like to wish all of our fans a Happy New Year!
Go Huskies!
Dave O’Brien
Previous letters
January 2005
Hello Husky Fans!
Director of Athletics & Recreation
• December 2004
• November 2004
• October 2004
• September 2004
• Spring 2004
• March 2004
• February 2004
• January 2004
• December 2003
• November 2003
• Summer 2003
• June 2003
• May 2003
• April 2003
• March 2003
• February 2003
• Q & A with Dave O'Brien
