Time for FAU to show support for baseball program
By Marcus Nelson
As if Florida Atlantic's three-game series sweep over Alabama over the weekend wasn't impressive enough consider that the Owls had to bus their way to Tuscaloosa, Ala. over two days last week.
Then after the 745-mile trip the Owls had to unload their gear at the Crimson Tide's new stadium, which has gone through several renovations through the years.
None of that mattered once the games started and FAU dominated an SEC program which is a perenial regional participant and has more than a few College World Series trips on its resume.
I don''t want to say FAU should be putting more money in the baseball program – the team was allowed to fly home - but perhaps the question should be raised as to what this program could be with more dollars invested.
Of course, first and foremost should be improvements to FAU's baseball stadium. The Owls home facility is a detriment to the program and is an embarrassment to the university. A stadium with no restrooms should be (and possibly is) illegal. I wonder how many recruits have been lost through the years to a school that has better facilities and luxuries - you know, things such as permanent toilets.
Just as important is the stadium's negative effect on a fan base, which won't grow at a facilty that is left in the dust by other Sun Belt – and Atlantic Sun and some Division II – stadiums throughout the south. The Owls could bring in decent crowds and become sort of a “minor league” team for Boca Raton if the fan experience at FAU Stadium was improved instead of having fans leave the park wondering why FAU would allow a high school stadium to be acceptable.
Yet year after year, planned improvements are continuously postponed as FAU counts emptying the Port-o-Potties by the dugouts as “stadium remodeling.”
As this weekend shows, FAU's baseball program can compete on the national level, but it's going to take more than good pitching and timely hitting. It's time for FAU's administration and athletic department to step up and spend the money to make this program succeed.
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