University of California Riverside Athletics Director Stan Morrison will answer selected questions from our online readers throughout the school year. To submit a question to "Ask Stan Morrison", click here.

Question:

"Hi Stan, I am a recent UCR graduate ('04) and I came across this newly designed web site. I think the site is more interactive, visually appealing and more user friendly to check on scores, schedules and player stats! Great job to the webmaster! Since I have graduated last year, I am hearing of all these changes to the university. UCR has definitely come a long way over the last 10 years. I hear of new buildings popping up, increased admissions, and highly qualified students being recruited to the campus. However, it seems that the athletics program lacks exposure and marketing. Now that UCR has gone Division 1, and the school has "broken in the shoe", what major goals or visions do you have for the university athletic program? Any general ideas of what the program would ideally be like in 10 years (that is, new facilities, major athletic initiatives, etc)? I feel that UCR deserves the attention a Division 1 school should be getting. Hope to hear from you. Thanks!"

Submitted by Brian Cassidy

Stan's Reply :

"Dear Brian,
It is great to hear from a recent graduate. Thanks for making contact. Thanks for the compliments on the UCR Athletics web site. Ross French, of our Athletics Media Relations Office, is primarily responsible for the considerable upgrade that you are now enjoying.

Yes, change is definitely in the air at UCR. The profile for potential new students has been elevated through our Office of Admissions. Lots of new buildings are under way and we are all excited about the current construction of a $55,000,000 campus Student Union. It will be in the location of the old dining commons, and right next to our Athletics Department. The old tennis courts will be demolished and a new CHASS office and classroom building will be built on that site. I expect that project to begin soon. New construction is under way all across campus.

We have really worked to upgrade the visibility of our Division I Big West program. The primary target is, of course, the students already here at UCR. We just had a welcoming party of athletes, administrators, coaches, and cheerleaders for 3,200+ new and transfer students as they came for a BBQ at the Bell Tower Saturday evening. It was our annual "Braveheart Bash." Associate A.D. Cliff Dochterman and Marketing Director Jim Peterson created posters and organizers that are being given to all of the new students. They can't any longer say, "I didn't know there was a game/match."

The first 160 of any new items we produce are given to the student staff (R.A.'s, etc.), under the direction of Housing Director Andy Plumley. They are a major key to getting students to events, whether they are sports, theatre, cultural, etc. on campus. I met with all 160 of them at A&I and they are really a spirited, passionate group of young people. I do believe they are the key 160 Highlanders on this campus because they have direct daily contact with all of the students.

in the residence halls. Kurtis Matzkind, our Ticket Manager, has taken on the task of expanding the FBI (Fanatical Braveheart Intimidators) to increase campus excitement for athletics at our events.

We continue to make ourselves available to the local and Southern California media. We are not yet "the story" they are looking for because that is based on winning Big West Conference titles. That, and getting into the NCAA Championships, is always the target and we are becoming more competitive all the time. Recruiting has accelerated throughout our 17 sports and we are being received with more enthusiasm by coaches and prospects at high schools and community colleges in Southern California.

Raising the profile of the teams comes first and foremost by winning. Our coaches are acutely aware of that and it is our mission. TOUGHNESS is a theme that is spreading throughout our programs to get us to that championship level of competitiveness. Meanwhile, we continue to graduate our student-athletes and enjoyed the #1 highest graduation rate in 2004 for all Division I programs in southern California. In 2005, we were #4. That is a key component of our overall vision and mission.

Realistically, we all recognize that the highest attendance sports are those where the Big West institutions are measured. We want a full house for each contest. We shall continue to work hard to promote our teams across campus, in the local media, and hopefully across Southern California. We need to continue even harder to fund raise and increase the quality of each of our facilities internally. A large arena, down the road, would be a wonderful addition to this athletics program, to the campus and to this entire region. I have spoken on this topic many times in the past and recognize that it is not on the near horizon. Meanwhile, we shall continue to work to field programs that will cause the alumni to break out their old UCR T-shirts and hats and talk with great pride about the Blue and Gold men and women. Thanks again Brian. I hope to see you soon at our events."

Stan Morrison

"Braveheart is Alive!"