From the Desk of Tulane AD Troy Dannen
Jul 5, 2023 | General
Roll Wave!
The 2022-23 academic year has ended, the final race has been run, the final ball has been thrown or hit and soon our focus turns toward next year.
What a remarkable, record-setting year for Tulane Athletics. When this year's senior class entered Tulane as freshmen, their year was cut short in March, 2020 due to the pandemic. Their sophomore year consisted of a rigorous Covid testing regimen and limited social interactions (which always included masking). Their junior year predicted normalcy, until Hurricane Ida struck one week before our first home games, displacing our student-athletes for weeks. Finally, this year, as seniors, our class of 2023 had the chance to truly experience a "normal" year of Tulane life and exhibit the true strength of Tulane Athletics.
To highlight just some of our successes on the field:
*In the ninth year of Yulman Stadium, and our 10th year as members of the American Athletic Conference, Green Wave football won its first ever AAC Championship, and our second football conference championship of any kind since 1949. And, of course, the historic season was capped off by a remarkable comeback win against USC in the Cotton Bowl, with the Green Wave finishing ranked #9 in the nation. To put into some context just what Coach Willie Fritz has accomplished during his seven seasons at Tulane, he now ranks second in career victories in the history of Tulane and is the only coach in school history to lead a team to more than one bowl game. Although Coach Fritz was publicly courted by others at the end of the season, we are proud and excited that he recently signed a new seven-year contract with the Wave that we hope enables him to continue to achieve the highest levels of success and recognition.
*Men's Basketball also had its fair share of success. Coach Ron Hunter led the Green Wave to its first 20-win regular season since the 1999-2000 season, including 12 conference wins, the most since the 1947-48 season. With two all-conference players returning next year, expectations are high. Those expectations, along with our program's reputation, led to our selection as the Team USA representative in the World University Games this summer in Chengdu, China. We will wear the Red, White and Blue in an Olympic-type atmosphere against university teams from 20 different nations in pursuit of a gold medal.
*Sophomore Carla Bernat, after leading the Women's Golf team to a conference championship as a freshman, was ranked among the Top 20 golfers in the nation throughout most of the season, while establishing historical scoring marks for Tulane Golf.
*Kristen O'Handley set the school record in the heptathlon and advanced to both the NCAA Indoor and Outdoor Track & Field Championships, where she was an All-American.
*Men's Tennis qualified for the NCAA Tournament again this season, the sixth time in seven seasons under Coach Mark Booras. As most are aware, Coach Booras recently underwent a successful heart transplant at the Cleveland Clinic. We look forward to welcoming Mark back to the helm this fall, and continue to keep him, his wife Laura, and their infant daughter, Georgiana, in our thoughts.
*Beach Volleyball finished its season with a program best #18 ranking in the AVCA rankings, with a 24-10 record in its first season as a member of Conference USA.
*Green Wave Baseball concluded a strong competitive year winning our first AAC championship, the 16th conference championship in the storied history of the program. The AAC championship led to our return to the NCAA Regionals for the first time since 2016.
But this year has had as much to boast about off the field of competition as on the field.
*Our student-athletes ranked #2 in the nation in community service hours this year. This is the seventh consecutive year we have been in the Top 25 nationally, showcasing that our commitment to serve others is the foundation of the Tulane experience.
*Due to the generous contributions of Jill and Avram Glazer, our department was able to provide its first study-abroad program for rising juniors. This May, nearly 70 of our student-athletes traveled to Australia, where they earned three credit hours through classroom time, experiential learning, and exploration of the world of sports in Australia. Among their many adventures included a chance to swim the Great Barrier Reef. The study-abroad program will continue next year, with South Africa as the probable destination.
*Academically, Tulane continued to set a standard of success, with 68% of our student-athletes earning at least a 3.0 GPA, seven teams earning a perfect Academic Progress Rate, and a department Graduation Success Rate of 93%.
This year also marked the most significant capital improvements for Tulane Athletics since Yulman Stadium was built. Investment in Tulane Athletics and our student-athletes elevates us as an institution and, as the investment in Yulman Stadium proved, can be a catalyst for success of our programs.
*This fall, our Swimming and Diving team will compete in the newly renovated Reily Center Natatorium, as the nearly $13 million three-year renovation comes to an end.
*Construction on a new multi-million dollar six-court tennis facility for Men's and Women's Tennis is about to commence.
*A $8 million renovation is underway in the Wilson Center to expand and upgrade the locker rooms, common spaces and athletic training facilities. The renovation will also add new water modalities for rehabilitation and injury prevention.
*Our next facilities investment will focus on constructing an on-campus indoor practice space for our football, track and field, and golf programs. Additional phases of this space will include more locker rooms and meeting spaces, additional sports medicine, injury prevention and rehabilitation spaces, as well as a larger strength room.
As I look back on this year, I would be remiss if I did not mention the hard work and dedication of our entire department staff. Their commitment to our student-athletes and to the success of Tulane Athletics is unyielding. Among those recognized for their work:
*The Video & Broadcasting crew of Andrew Alvarez, Zach Fischer and Kelsey McHugh, who produced over 100 live events this past year, were recognized nationally for the second year in a row for Outstanding Live Game production for their production of the Cincinnati at Tulane Men's Basketball game.
*Deputy Director of Athletics and Senior Women Administrator Charvi Greer was named one of three Champions of Diversity and Inclusion by the NCAA. Charvi oversees both basketball programs and all areas that directly impact the student-athlete experience including academic advising, mental and physical health, and nutrition. She is a tireless advocate for all students, and we are grateful for her dedication.
Most importantly, I remain immensely proud of our student-athletes. Their drive, character, and passion is remarkable, and they continue to be great ambassadors of our university. I look forward to cheering them on and supporting them in every way we can this coming year as they build upon their numerous successes of this year.
The support of the Green Wave nation has empowered us to succeed. Our 130 coaches and staff and our 380 student-athletes are grateful for your confidence in us, and your support of all things Tulane!
Roll Wave!!
Troy Dannen
Director of Athletics
