Q: Congratulations on last year's record in football and good luck on the upcoming season. Having read your response regarding women's softball not being elevated to varsity status, I'm just curious, but not critical about that decision. What are the cost factor differences in elevating a sport like softball to varsity status? It seems to me that affiliation in the Patriot League really wouldn't be too much different than the costs that are in place now as a club team. I guess that's not the case or Navy would have already done so. I understand the reason for hockey, but what is the reason regarding softball? Thanks for your time and keep up the great job you and the Brigade are doing in athletics. - asked by: Anthony Pascucci -
A: Anthony, I don't have all the costs before me with regard to the elevation of softball at the Naval Academy, however, I did create a women's softball program when I was the Athletic Director at the University of Houston. We built a stadium, hired a full staff, equipment and established recruiting budgets, and although I do not recall the exact cost, I assure you it was not inexpensive. You can't expect to succeed at the highest level of intercollegiate competition without appropriate resources and support. The worst thing we could do is place a Club team, with a Club budget, at the Division I level. I have no interest in programming anyone at the Naval Academy for failure. Division I athletics is not intramurals, it's not free play, and it's not recreational activities. It's the business of succeeding and having a chance to win every time you take the field. To do that takes appropriate resources.
- answered by: Chet Gladchuk
