2012-13 Online Team Guide - Women's Basketball

ATHLETICS DIRECTOR ROBERT G. DRISCOLL, JR. ATHLETICS DIRECTOR/ASSOCIATE VICE PRESIDENT Since Robert G. Driscoll was hired as the Associate Vice President for Athletics on November 2, 2001, Providence College athletics has experienced unprecedented growth in academic and athletic performance, fundraising, facilities and community involvement. Driscoll has reinvigorated the Providence College Athletics program, leading the charge with a vision of creating one of the most respected programs in the nation, where each student-athlete graduates and has the opportunity to compete for championships. Driscoll was recognized for his efforts on June 10, 2008 as he was named the 2007-08 Astro Turf Athletics Director of the Year for the Division I Northeast Region at the 43rd National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics Annual Convention. He also was honored in 2009 by his alma mater, Ithaca College, where he received the Distinguished Sport Industry Leader award during alumni weekend. Most recently, he was elected as Third Vice President of the Division I-AAA Athletic Directors Association.

In addition to academic and athletic excellence, Driscoll has placed a strong emphasis on the enhancement of facilities at Providence. Driscoll worked strategically with lead officials in the City of Providence and the State of Rhode Island to help spearhead an $80 million renovation of the Dunkin’ Donuts Center, which is home to the Friar men’s basketball team. The renovated Dunkin’ Donuts Center is once again a state-of-the-art facility that seats over 12,600 fans. Renovations have enhanced the game-day experience by adding 20 luxury boxes, new seats, a video scoreboard, sound system, updated restaurant and concession stands, team store, locker rooms and new weight training and fitness areas. As a result, Providence College, the Dunkin’ Donuts Center, the city of Providence and the state of Rhode Island hosted the First and Second Rounds of the 2010 NCAA Men’s Basketball Championship, which was a complete success.

In March of 2012, renovations of Alumni Hall began and were completed in September. Alumni Hall, which is the practice facility for men’s basketball and home courts for women’s basketball and volleyball, is now equipped with a new ceiling, lighting, air conditioning and heating systems, upper level windows and new seating in the upper and lower arena. The entire communications and data systems were overhauled and a video scoreboard was installed, along with an enhanced audio system for public address and in-game entertainment needs.

In addition, the College gained approval for renovations to Schneider Arena, which began in August of 2012. When completed, Schneider Arena, home of the Friar men’s and women’s hockey teams, will have new locker rooms, sports medicine room, a strength and conditioning complex and an equipment room. The College also will build a state-of-the-art soccer and lacrosse complex adjacent to Schneider Arena as well as a new softball complex and tennis courts on lower campus.

Athletically, Providence continued to achieve success during the 2011-12 season. The men’s cross country team qualified for the NCAA Championship and finished 22nd overall. The men’s soccer team hosted a first round NCAA Tournament game for the second-consecutive season and advanced to the second round. Meanwhile, the women’s soccer team advanced to the BIG EAST Tournament for the first time since 1994. The men’s hockey team upset No. 2 seed UMass Lowell in a best-of-three Hockey East Quarterfinal series and became the first No. 7 seed to win a Hockey East Quarterfinal series. It marked the Friars’ first appearance in the league semifinals since 2001. In addition, the women’s hockey team advanced to the Hockey East Championship game and came within seven seconds of capturing the crown.

During the track season, the Friars continued to thrive. Emily Sisson earned All-America honors in the indoor 3,000 meters and the outdoor 5,000 meters, while Shelby Greany also was crowned All-American in the 3,000-meter steeplechase at the NCAA Championships. Sisson and Greany captured BIG EAST individual titles in the 5,000 meters and the steeplechase, respectively, during the outdoor season. In addition, David McCarthy set a New England record in the mile (3.55.75) and also garnered All-America status in the mile at the NCAA Championships.

On May 11-12, 2012, Providence College hosted the Cox Sports 15th Anniversary Celebration of the 1997 Providence College Men’s Basketball Elite Eight Friars. Led by former Friar Head Coach Pete Gillen, a number of former Friars from the 1997 team attended the event, which benefited the men’s basketball Mullaney Fund.

In addition to the recent renovations to Alumni Hall and upcoming renovations to Schneider Arena as well as the state-of-the art soccer and lacrosse complex, there have been numerous other facility improvements in Alumni Hall. The men’s basketball offices, hallway and locker rooms were renovated, thanks to a generous gift from Providence College alumnus Joe Calabria ‘65. The Joe Calabria Hallway of Legends was dedicated in January of 2009. Consisting of nine exhibit areas and seven display cases, the hallway features players and teams from each era of the Providence College basketball program. The hallway’s floor is a replica of the Friars’ Dave Gavitt Court at the Dunkin’ Donuts Center and the project also includes a complete renovation of the coaches’ offices, the film room and the team’s locker room.

The men’s soccer program received a generous donation from John Murphy ‘80 and renovated the soccer offices. The Joyce Murphy Soccer Suite opened in November of 2008. The suite features new offices, meeting spaces and a lounge area equipped with flat screen televisions. The men’s soccer locker room also was refurbished thanks to a donation by Kerry and Karl Anderson ‘87. With the creation of the BIG EAST Lacrosse Conference, the lacrosse offices were renovated to go along with a new locker room. The volleyball locker room also was renovated and a new women’s basketball video room was created. In addition, the track/cross country offices and the women’s soccer offices also were refurbished. The Helen Bert Student-Athlete Study Lounge, which was opened in 2007, was recently expanded. Thanks to a generous donation from Judge Bill Leary ’60 and his wife, Emily, the Friends of Friar WOMEN'S BASKETBALL - 15