Spring Break
Pretentious Penn finally visiting DAC after almost a century
Mike Mazzeo
Issue date: 9/26/08 Section: Sports
Drexel men's basketball coach Bruiser Flint had been politicking for his team to host Penn ever since his tenure began eight years ago.
"It's the 20th meeting of Drexel-Penn," Flint said last year after the Dragons knocked off the Quakers in overtime for just their fifth win in the history of the rivalry. "Not once have they come to play at the DAC."
However, thanks to a series of fortunate events and a strong stance by the athletic administration, there will finally be a change of venue.
For the first time in the series, which dates all the way back to the 1920-1921 season, the two teams will play at the Daskalakis Athletic Center Nov. 18 on ESPN (yes, ESPN) at 10 a.m. as Penn makes the 0.1 mile trek up 33rd Street to Dragons' territory.
But why would Penn make the switch from its historic, 7,500-seat Palestra to Drexel's home court, which seats approximately two-thirds fewer fans and has been compared numerous times to a high school gymnasium? Why would the Quakers, who already made the game part of their season-ticket package, decide to make the change and play at 10 in the morning?
Was it because when ESPN comes calling and gives smaller leagues like the CAA-or gasp, the Ivy League-a chance for national exposure, on a day in which the network will show almost 24 hours straight of college basketball, that they might just jump at the opportunity?
"I hope they're [Penn] not just doing it because they have the chance to play on ESPN," Flint said. "I hope they realize that this can happen every other year."
It most certainly can, Bru. But will it?
Probably not.
I'd like to think that Penn's motive for the switch was that it had finally gained an understanding that a true rivalry involves both teams getting an equal opportunity to enjoy a homecourt advantage.
I'd like to think that two years from now when I've graduated, I can come home from work if I don't reside in Philadelphia and watch Drexel beat the Quakers at the DAC via webcast. Until that actually happens, however, we are essentially at Penn's mercy.
"It's the 20th meeting of Drexel-Penn," Flint said last year after the Dragons knocked off the Quakers in overtime for just their fifth win in the history of the rivalry. "Not once have they come to play at the DAC."
However, thanks to a series of fortunate events and a strong stance by the athletic administration, there will finally be a change of venue.
For the first time in the series, which dates all the way back to the 1920-1921 season, the two teams will play at the Daskalakis Athletic Center Nov. 18 on ESPN (yes, ESPN) at 10 a.m. as Penn makes the 0.1 mile trek up 33rd Street to Dragons' territory.
But why would Penn make the switch from its historic, 7,500-seat Palestra to Drexel's home court, which seats approximately two-thirds fewer fans and has been compared numerous times to a high school gymnasium? Why would the Quakers, who already made the game part of their season-ticket package, decide to make the change and play at 10 in the morning?
Was it because when ESPN comes calling and gives smaller leagues like the CAA-or gasp, the Ivy League-a chance for national exposure, on a day in which the network will show almost 24 hours straight of college basketball, that they might just jump at the opportunity?
"I hope they're [Penn] not just doing it because they have the chance to play on ESPN," Flint said. "I hope they realize that this can happen every other year."
It most certainly can, Bru. But will it?
Probably not.
I'd like to think that Penn's motive for the switch was that it had finally gained an understanding that a true rivalry involves both teams getting an equal opportunity to enjoy a homecourt advantage.
I'd like to think that two years from now when I've graduated, I can come home from work if I don't reside in Philadelphia and watch Drexel beat the Quakers at the DAC via webcast. Until that actually happens, however, we are essentially at Penn's mercy.
Viewing Comments 1 - 8 of 9
Mark
posted 9/26/08 @ 9:40 AM EST
"We'd just like to win-or lose-in the DAC, and now the opportunity is upon us." I don't think anybody at Drexel wants to lose...
The walk is actually . (Continued…)
Mike Mazzeo
posted 9/27/08 @ 5:39 PM EST
Your points are well taken.
Obviously I want us to win, but regardless it is a historic event, and the game's outcome is to an extent irrelevant in the grand scheme of things. (Continued…)
Beryl
posted 9/28/08 @ 11:09 AM EST
Just beat them to shut them up. Go, Dragons!
DAC Pack
posted 9/28/08 @ 7:38 PM EST
The DAC Pack will be in full effect. This year's shirts are in, and will be unveiled on or around Midnight Madness. Get your free shirt, stand together in the new student sections, and show that school down the street who runs University City. (Continued…)
JA
posted 9/29/08 @ 11:23 AM EST
As far as the fact that die-hard fans will go regardless, that sadly can't always be the case. I call myself a fan, but the fact is that a have a 4 credit core class during the game and one absence drops me a full letter grade. (Continued…)
Penn Fan
posted 9/30/08 @ 10:30 PM EST
I understand the Drexel fans wanting the home game, but really it seems to be a homecourt advantage for both teams when the game is at the Palestra. I have been to the game against Drexel the last two years and I am pretty sure you guys outnumbered our fans. (Continued…)
Ben
posted 10/01/08 @ 1:41 AM EST
I prefer attending games at the Palestra over the Dac as a Drexel fan. However, with the construction at the Dac why would it not be at the Palestra until the Armory is built. (Continued…)
Hoopy
posted 10/06/08 @ 5:12 PM EST
What IS the hold up on the Armory? A game of this importance would have been a perfect unveiling for the DU version of the Palestra. Please hurry up and get the Armory ready. (Continued…)
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