Letter from the AD
The expectations are high for Northeastern University Athletics in 2004-05. This coming year marks the Huskies’ final season as a full member of the America East Conference. In 2005-06, Northeastern will make the move to the prestigious Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) as a full member with twelve programs participating in conference play. The move to the CAA will give Northeastern University increased national visibility, with conference membership stretching from Boston to Atlanta, Georgia. Additionally, Northeastern looks forward to aligning itself with the CAA and its reputation for academic and athletic excellence.
On campus our fall sports teams are poised to continue their championship success. Coach Cheryl Murtagh and the field hockey program have been picked unanimously as favorites to repeat as conference champs. The field hockey team has won three consecutive America East Conference titles and looks to extend its streak to four. This season, the Huskies are off to a 4-0 start with big wins over Ball State, Ohio, Princeton and Penn State.
The volleyball program under Ken Nichols’ leadership has been chosen to finish second after last year’s 23-11 (10-4 AE) record and a season ending RPI ranking of 58 nationally (out of 311). The team started off with a pair of tough losses to powers Long Beach State and California-Irvine but rebounded with wins over George Washington and William & Mary.
Coach Ed Matz led the women’s soccer team to a 3-0 start with wins over Jacksonville and Florida Atlantic before taking a match from Big East member Providence.
Additionally, we are excited to welcome Rocky Hager to the Northeastern family as our new head football coach. He has already shown his coaching prowess, leading the Huskies to a 71-0 win over Cheyney in the team’s season-opener. Coach Hager comes to Northeastern with success as an assistant coach at Temple University and as head coach at North Dakota State University. While at North Dakota State, Hager compiled a win-loss record of 91-25-1. He won two national championships as head coach and two as defensive coordinator. Twice Hager was named National Coach of the Year by the American Football Coaches Association. The Husky football team garnered a No. 21 preseason ranking in the ESPN/USA Today national poll. The football program travels to Div. I-A Navy in Annapolis, Md. on Sept. 11. The Navy game will be televised live on CN8’s full network and should be available to Husky fans living from Boston to Baltimore.
I also would like to recognize Husky football great Dan Ross ’80 on his recent enshrinement to the College Football Hall of Fame in South Bend, Ind. Ross is the first Husky to be recognized with this honor. He was inducted August 13-14 along with 13 others, including Joe Theisman, Barry Sanders, Darrell Greene and Hayden Fry. Northeastern University Athletics has declared the Oct. 9 football game versus Villanova as “Dan Ross Day.” We will hold a pre-game reception and on-the-field ceremony to recognize Dan for his contributions to Northeastern University.
Thanks again for supporting Northeastern University Athletics. Our Athletic Department looks forward to representing Northeastern University with success in the classroom, community and on the field of competition in 2004-05!
Go Huskies!
Dave O’Brien
Previous letters
September 2004
Dear Husky Fans:
Director of Athletics
• 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
