Well, another year has come and gone here at Longwood. It's been up and down and 'round and 'round to get to this point. As I sit here on this April afternoon writing this column and trying to get it in by the deadline (or as close to it as possible), I am reminded of all the good things I have seen from Longwood Athletics this past year. I wrote a sort of retrospective as my final column last April and I'm doing it again now. This year has come and gone quicker than the Lancer Lunatics can chant "PATRICK FINNEGAN!"
One of Longwood's best moments this past academic year was the first annual G.A.M.E. (Greatest Athletics March Ever). The pep rally in Willett Hall, the march to the Athletics Complex, and the women's soccer match that followed were all geared towards opening the school year with something exciting. Mission accomplished. Seeing hundreds, maybe thousands of Longwood students, faculty, and staff enjoying the event made me proud to be a Lancer. The word is the university is expecting to have another G.A.M.E. next semester. It's a great plan to continue on with this new tradition.
Another highlight from the past year was the men's basketball game in Willett Hall against the JMU Dukes. It was the first televised game in Longwood's history and it drew a record number of fans (and lunatics) alike. I had the privilege of being there courtside. Controlled chaos is probably the best way to describe that night. Although Longwood lost the game in a close decision, the experience was second to none. I hope televising games is something Longwood does again next year and will continue to do in the future.
A new mascot, fight song, and the ever lingering possibility of Longwood joining a conference have me excited as a member of the Longwood community and as the Sports Editor. From what I have been told, voting on the new mascot will commence at the Midnight Breakfast this coming Sunday. Sources say that there will be two mascot designs present for everyone to vote on. That coupled with the new fight song that is in the works will only add to the ruckus at sporting events. No student at Longwood has ever had the opportunity to cheer for a mascot on the sidelines. They've never been able to sing a legitimate fight song during games. That's all about to change and I can't wait.
The fact that Longwood is inching closer and closer to joining a conference is something else to be pumped about. I just want to be able to see a conference logo painted on the court at Willett Hall, on the outfield wall at the baseball stadium, and at the Athletics Complex. Unfortunately, I won't be here when conference play begins because it takes a year to make the transition to a conference. Even if an announcement is made this summer, conference affiliation would not start until 2012-13. That's what I have heard from people in the Athletics Department.
Finally, to all the people at The Rotunda who I have worked with the last few years, I want to say thanks. We've laughed, we've argued, and we've had fun moments along the way. Sorry for the missed deadlines, the late nights laying out the sports section, and my general laziness sometimes. I will work to better myself next year to make your lives and my life easier. See, now it's in print so I can't go back on my word. To the readers of The Rotunda, thank you for your constructive criticism during the past year. Keep it coming. Remember, my purpose as a writer and editor is to serve you and keep you informed. Thank you for reading.
With that, I'm outta here. Take care, Longwood. I'm gonna go soak up the sun. I'll catch you on the flip side.
