The name Missouri University of Science and Technology is starting to get out, thanks to some great media coverage of the 100th anniversary of St. Pat's and the accomplishments of a couple of our sports programs. Here's a quick rundown:
- Rolla gets ready to Roll for St. Pat, a page one feature in Saturday's St. Louis Post-Dispatch, the state's largest newspaper. The story was also the most emailed article from Saturday's newspaper, as the graphic at right shows, indicating that people were sharing the buzz.
- An Associated Press report about St. Pat's that was picked up beyond the borders of Missouri.
- The men's swimming team finished the NCAA Division II Championships over the weekend by finishing No. 2 in the nation, and the team's coach, Doug Grooms, was named "Coach of the Year" by the College Swimming Coaches Association of America.
- The Lady Miners basketball team is in the Sweet 16 for the first time in its history.
- Two S&T pole vaulters fare well in the national track and field championships.
Unfortunately, the great sports news hasn't generated as much buzz as we would like -- or as the sports programs deserve. We're still better known for St. Pat's than for athletics. But we're making sure that those who care the most about this university know about the great things that are happening. People are starting to hear about the Missouri S&T name, and for good reason.
I'm really proud to see the athletic teams doing such a great job. I also do enjoy seeing the St. Pats festivities mentioned in the news. However, if you read the article in the STL Post-Dispatch, the author unfortunately interviews Brad Calzone who says "Without St. Pat's, this school would be nothing...That's all we've got here." How embarrassing !
Nathan - Yes, those comments in the Post-Dispatch article were unfortunate. Of course, the student has the right to express his opinion, and the Post-Dispatch has a right to publish that opinion. I only hope that in the future the student in question will come to realize the value of his degree and see that his experience at Rolla paid dividends many times over.
Thanks for your note.