Sports drawer perspective: SAU is NAIA power

Sept. 9, 2004
By Dan Tomlin
Sports Editor

Despite what some critics of the NAIA might think, the caliber of athlete playing at any intercollegiate level is almost second to none.

Much has been documented about the accomplishments of NCAA schools such as the University of Iowa or University of Illinois, but it’s important to note that here in Davenport, Iowa our school is quickly taking it’s place among the upper echelon of college sports.

We are living through the golden age of Ambrose athletics. Case in point, during the last academic year the school experienced its best year ever athletically. Until last year only two teams had ever advanced to the Final Four in their respective sports in the history of the school.

Last year we had a football team in the fall that did the unexpected in advancing through to the quarterfinals of the NAIA playoffs, one of only eight teams in the nation to do so. There were also the two weeks in March when the Fighting Bees basketball team captivated the school and captured our imagination, making us all believe that they were a team of destiny.

Their run through the national tournament ended with a Final Four finish (the first for the men’s program).

More importantly however were the accomplishments by the men’s golf team. In May the men placed third in the nation. Unfortunately, because of the fact that nationals are held in late May after classes have dismissed and SAU’ers are already home for the summer it may have gone unnoticed.

Too often it seems students take for granted the competition right under their noses and quickly look to Iowa or U of I as the only source of competitive college athletics.

During my time at St. Ambrose I have come to understand the full scope of college athletics and just how astounding some of the accomplishments of our athletes are, not to mention the level of play in the NAIA.

Evidence of this is as close as the last Olympic Games where former Azusa Pacific (Cal.) standout Brian Clay placed second in the Decathlon. In fact, there were 25 NAIA athletes that competed for their respective countries in Greece.

Here at St. Ambrose there have only been two individual national champions, one of whom graduated just last year. Rob Firrell accomplished National Champion status in 2003 by capturing the weight throw title in track and field.

In our midst right now we have one of the best golfers in the country at any level. Joe Demory’s is currently ranked in the top 100 college golfers in the country, regardless of affiliation (NCAA or NAIA).

It’s important for us all to appreciate what we have around us whether it’s the volleyball team which plays it’s home games on campus or the tennis and soccer teams which play off campus but not far enough away to have an excuse for not attending. The tennis team plays their home matches at Assumption High School, while the soccer team plays a number of games around the Quad Cities. Both the men’s and women’s soccer teams will be capping off their season with night games at Augustana on Oct. 21 & 22.

So while the Hawkeye’s or Illini might get you fired up, try and get excited about the Fighting Bees, and go out and support your friends and fellow Bees. Remember, if you can’t be an athlete, be an athletic supporter.

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