The Department of Athletics would like to take this opportunity to thank the AU community for playing an integral role in the success of our athletic teams this weekend. AU's students, faculty and staff are key components in strengthening this department, and your participation this weekend lent itself to ensure the success of our men's and women's basketball programs, as well as contributed to an excellent performance by our wrestling program.
This department wants athletics to be a focal point of campus life - one where traditions are built through student involvement in our programs. Our student-athletes feed off the excitement created by campus participation. It is the department's ambition to establish an atmosphere of pride and excellence in our programs that AU students, faculty and staff will embrace.
In addition, the department would like to address what many students believe was a lack of support for our women's basketball program. This department is committed to the equitable treatment of every program we sponsor - men's and women's. During the month of January the department celebrated National Girls and Women in Sports Day, hosting the event in conjunction with our women's basketball game versus Lehigh. Hundreds of Girl Scouts flocked to Bender Arena in support of athletics participation and our women's basketball program. It was our intention to focus Phil Bender on men's basketball, but at no time did we intend to diminish the importance of our women's program. We are aware of the inequities in our publicity of the event and will make every effort to correct any errors in the future. The department is proud of the success both teams have achieved this season. We look forward to competing in the Patriot League Tournament and bringing home two league titles.
Thank you for making Phil Bender and the entire weekend the most successful in recent memory. The future is bright for AU athletics and the department stands by its student-athletes and coaches. We look forward to the upcoming season and encourage your continued support of our programs.
Pride, excellence and integrity.
GO EAGLES!
