Acorn

In December, University President Bob Weisbuch announced that Drew would join a new athletic conference with seven other schools, including Goucher College, Stevens College and Catholic University, among others. Yesterday, Weisbuch spoke with The Acorn on a number of the issues of the conference switch such as the forces behind the move, the prospects for new academic opportunities between the conference schools and what is to become of the FDU / Drew rivalry.

Q: What were the principle reasons behind making the move from the MAC conference into the new untitled conference?

A: There were various dissatisfactions with the MAC [Conference] among Drew, Goucher, Catholic, Stevens, U.S. Merchant Marine Academy and these schools in Pa. [Moravian and Juniata] that were cut loose because they wanted [their football teams to be included in the league].

Now we?re not going to do football [in the new conference], but we don?t care if they do football. That?s fine with us.

Also, I thought it would be great to be in a league where there was a much greater and complete sharing of academic values. That?s not meant to put anybody [in the MAC conference] down, but it feels more appropriate academically [to be in the new conference].

Q: Is there a name for the new conference in the works?

A: There?s no name for the conference yet. We?re currently trying to figure out a name ? if anyone has good names, we?re taking suggestions.

Q: Are there plans of having more schools join the new conference?

A: We?ve agreed to stay with the eight schools we have now, no more, no less. Right now, we just want to get the conference going.

Q: Has there been any negative reaction from coaches, players or students over the fact that Drew?s chief athletic rival, FDU ? Florham, will not be included in the new conference?

A: I certainly hope we can maintain these rivalries and set up play dates. It would be out of Conference competition. All the reaction that I?ve heard has been very positive about this new conference. I also hope we can set up play dates with Vassar and Skidmore.

Q: It was stated in the online announcement about the conference change that ?In addition to athletic competition, the colleges will explore a variety of ways to initiate and expand academic relationships between the institutions.? Could you explain this further?

A: As [the schools] get to know each other better, we may be able to think about faculty exchanges and sharing various special facilities for special programs. Goucher is very big on study abroad ? it?s a requirement ? that?s very interesting for me. It?s gonna take some time to really develop the possibilities.

Q. Why will the conference commence in spring 2007? Why not in fall 2007?

A: There are many things to do. There are bylaws, there is getting a commissioner ? I?m not even sure we determined an absolute start date. The athletic directors have been working very hard on this. When you see what we have to get done, the NCAA approvals, legal formalities, it?s smart to err on the side of caution.

Q: Final Thoughts?

A: This new conference will give Drew an impetus to support athletics even more strongly ? that gives us an excitement that we need about the athletic programs. We?ve found a conference now that affirms our idea of the role athletics should play in the total educational experience.

I?m so proud of this University in terms of its values and how it thinks of its athletics. And now we?ve found a bunch of other universities that feel the same way, and that?s exciting. In December, University President Bob Weisbuch announced that Drew would join a new athletic conference with seven other schools, including Goucher College, Stevens College and Catholic University, among others. Yesterday, Weisbuch spoke with The Acorn on a number of the issues of the conference switch such as the forces behind the move, the prospects for new academic opportunities between the conference schools and what is to become of the FDU / Drew rivalry.

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