Spring Break
Editorial: Armory sign of D.U. growth
Editorial Board
Issue date: 4/18/08 Section: Ed-Op
Many students knew the Armory as the home for the 103rd Engineering Battalion of the National Guard, Drexel's ROTC program.
Or, maybe they knew it as the host of the Philadelphia Antique Show or Art Show. Or, perhaps they just knew it as an unsightly sore in the middle of campus.
However, that will all change now that the University has gained control of the historic building that was constructed in 1920 on 33rd St. and Lancaster Ave.
The Armory's Drill Hall is set to become the future home of the Dragons' men's and women's basketball teams and will also serve as a convocation center.
On a day when the administration announced changes that will forever change the profile of the men's and women's basketball teams, we commend the University for attempting to make a name for itself not only in academia, but athletics as well. The project shows a commitment by Drexel to provide its athletes with better facilities.
Men's basketball head coach Bruiser Flint and women's basketball head coach Denise Dillon now can use the facility to attract higher profile recruits. Another great selling point is getting the opportunity to play in a first-class 3,000 to 5,000-seat venue in a historical college basketball city like Philadelphia.
Best of all, the opportunity to play Big Five opponents on our home floor is finally realistic.
And what better a way to draw alumni back than to provide them with a facility they can be proud to visit? With alumni support comes monetary support, which will only benefit the University.
Plus, it's about time we had a good home for graduation.
Taking over the Armory seems to be one small part of the University's construction plans, but it's a great step in improving the campus, student morale, and Drexel overall image. It's something that should have happened a long time ago.
While it is unfortunate that many of us will graduate before this project is completed, there is no question that the new basketball facility is something that will surely be visited by the current undergraduates and eventual alumni when the Drexel basketball teams make the Armory their new home.
Or, maybe they knew it as the host of the Philadelphia Antique Show or Art Show. Or, perhaps they just knew it as an unsightly sore in the middle of campus.
However, that will all change now that the University has gained control of the historic building that was constructed in 1920 on 33rd St. and Lancaster Ave.
The Armory's Drill Hall is set to become the future home of the Dragons' men's and women's basketball teams and will also serve as a convocation center.
On a day when the administration announced changes that will forever change the profile of the men's and women's basketball teams, we commend the University for attempting to make a name for itself not only in academia, but athletics as well. The project shows a commitment by Drexel to provide its athletes with better facilities.
Men's basketball head coach Bruiser Flint and women's basketball head coach Denise Dillon now can use the facility to attract higher profile recruits. Another great selling point is getting the opportunity to play in a first-class 3,000 to 5,000-seat venue in a historical college basketball city like Philadelphia.
Best of all, the opportunity to play Big Five opponents on our home floor is finally realistic.
And what better a way to draw alumni back than to provide them with a facility they can be proud to visit? With alumni support comes monetary support, which will only benefit the University.
Plus, it's about time we had a good home for graduation.
Taking over the Armory seems to be one small part of the University's construction plans, but it's a great step in improving the campus, student morale, and Drexel overall image. It's something that should have happened a long time ago.
While it is unfortunate that many of us will graduate before this project is completed, there is no question that the new basketball facility is something that will surely be visited by the current undergraduates and eventual alumni when the Drexel basketball teams make the Armory their new home.
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