Oct. 4, 2005
Submit Questions Here For SDSU A.D. Jeff Schemmel
Jenna (Orange County): What is your perspective on the importance of the "Olympic Sports" in an athletic program? It seems to me that SDSU could reach national prominence easier in these sports before men's basketball or football could. As our AD, do you see their potential even in the shadows of the football and basketball?
The value and importance of all of our sports cannot be overstated. Having been an Olympic sport athlete myself, this strikes close to home for me.
Our goal at San Diego State is to have the most successful overall athletic program in our conference, and, quite frankly, in college athletics. We want to win the NACDA Director's Cup, emblematic of the NCAA's most successful overall athletic program. We can't accomplish that goal without consistent national success in all of our sports, and our coaches and staff have dedicated themselves to that proposition. It is now incumbent upon us to develop a good roadmap to guide us.
We have work to do, but many of the necessary elements are in place, thanks to the talented and devoted people who preceded me, such as Fred Miller, Rick Bay, and Mike Bohn, and the committed supporters of our program, including John Moores, whose incredible gift made these amazing facilities possible. We have an outstanding academic institution, a beautiful campus, a major campus population of over 34,000 students, those outstanding facilities, weather that is perfect for training, and a city that is one of the best in America.
I agree that there is great potential...an ability to win national championships. When you think of all these assets, and the wealth of talent in our own back yard, I think you will agree that there is no limit on how good we can be.
Go Aztecs!