Ave Maria University's new athletic director Brian J. Scanlan is clearly excited about the prospect of a new football team and athletic facility
Ave Maria University is a lost soul in America’s collegiate map. First off, the school’s president Tom Monaghan is about as egotistical as it gets. He nicknamed the school’s mascot the “Gyrenes” which we all know is a nickname for soldiers in the United States Marine Corps. However, the only relationship Ave Maria has with the Marine Corp is that Mr. Monaghan once served in the Marines. The university does not even offer an ROTC program. There is absolutely zero relationship between the university and the Corp.
Schools tend to have names that are symbolic to the history or location of the school. Other schools use names that are tough-sounding. But Gyrenes doesn’t fit that bill at all. This is a Catholic school and should somehow reflect on the school’s identity or location. There is no rhyme or reason to Monaghan’s thinking process.
The school was originally built in Ypsilanti, Michigan, but Monaghan’s pale face wanted a tan. So in 2007, he just picked up and moved the entire university to Naples, Florida much to the dismay of the students, teachers, and Michigan locals. To further Monaghan’s rash thinking, the former Domino’s Pizza founder, decided Ave Maria needed a football team. This past Friday, the school announced that it will become the first college in Southwest Florida to have a team. Monaghan has little room for patience and he is confident he will field a team as early as 2011.
To begin this monumental quest, he hired former Penn State wide receiver Barry Fagan as the school’s first head coach. Fagan most recently was the offensive coordinator for D-II Hillsdale College, but he couldn’t pass up on a head coaching position. He is a walking wealth of football knowledge and should be able to make enough noise as a head coach so he can quickly move on to bigger and better coaching gigs.
The Gyrenes will compete in the NAIA. But for now, Monaghan has a few logistics to work out, such as where his team will play, should they build a stadium, who will do all the recruiting, and which kids out of the measly 678 enrolled will actually put on the blue and gold.
I’m not sure how he is going to do it. This task seems more monumental than convincing those that Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea to Mary, a virgin, by a miracle of the Holy Spirit. Amen to you Mr. Monaghan. I hear that since you are also the founder of the University you are going to declare your birthday as a school holiday.
Here are some fun facts about the University. And based on these facts, the school should could better use its money to bolster its image (you be the judge):
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
Minimum high school GPA: 2.8
Minimum college GPA: 2.4
Minimum ACT: 22
Minimum SAT (including writing portion): 1580
Minimum SAT (on older form): 1050
STUDENT PROFILE
43 states and 16 foreign countries represented. 55% women, 45% men
Average GPA from high school: 3.7
Average ACT: 25
Average SAT: 1227 (old scale); 1850 (new scale)
ATHLETICS
Varsity Sports: Volleyball; Men’s Basketball; Women’s Basketball; Men’s Soccer; Women’s Soccer; Men’s Golf; Women’s Golf; Baseball; Softball
Club Sports: Rugby, Swimming, Tennis
Intramural Sports: Co-Ed Volleyball; Co-Ed Soccer; Co-Ed Frisbee; Flag Football; Basketball
2008-2009 COST
Tuition: $16,350
Room & Board: $7,600
Fees: $550
Total Cost: $24,500
