By Brian Smith
A press release on Aug. 29 stated that after the 2008-09 season, men’s and women’s basketball and cheerleading will be discontinued, and that a renewed emphasis will be placed on intramurals, recreation and fitness departments. Athletics Director Quin Monahan explains why.
“It definitely wasn’t to save money for horses in the equestrian program,” Monahan said right off the bat. He went on to say that the discontinuation of the basketball program won’t change funding at all, and won’t contribute any money to the new Atlanta intramural programs.
However, Monahan went on to say that there are a variety of reasons why the program will be canceled, and finances are part of it, along with the fact that SCAD doesn’t have facilities suitable for intercollegiate basketball.
The Bees play all their home games at Savannah High School, but the location doesn’t provide locker rooms or showers, and the team can’t practice or hold events there. Practicing at the St. Paul’s activity center didn’t help the team when their games were played elsewhere. “SCAD likes to be proud of what we produce,” Monahan stated, “and games at Savannah High didn’t achieve that.”
Next, Monahan spoke about the renewed emphasis on intramurals, recreation and fitness that’s mentioned in the press release. He said it’s a year-old initiative that began with Club SCAD moving to the Orleans Hall building next to O-House. “The old Club SCAD was not what SCAD wanted to provide. The new location was intended to be temporary, but its popularity is going to keep it around.” He went on to explain that the renewed emphasis involves more classes and more activities to provide our society’s growing focus on wellness.
Monahan also explained that a new gymnasium might be in the works, as part of the Gwinnett Village dorm construction plan. Although the new gym may serve the renewed emphasis on recreation and fitness, he said that as planned, it would not be conducive to an intercollegiate basketball program.
According to a college press release, the men’s basketball program started in 1991-92. Currently in their 18th season, the Bees have amassed a 218-230 overall record. The Bees best-ever season came in 2002-03 when they went a college-record 21-6 mark. During that season SCAD won a college-record 16 games in a row, was ranked No. 20 in the country and advanced to the second round of the national tournament. The Mar. 7 issue of District reported that Eze Andrews, a then fourth-year forward for the SCAD basketball team, was named Defensive Player of the Year in the Florida Sun Conference on Feb. 28 at Northwood University in Florida.
According to the same college press release, the women’s basketball program started in 1993-94. They have a 213-172 overall record as they begin their 16th season. SCAD advanced to three NCAA Division III Championships in 1995-96, 1996-97 and 2001-02. The Bees also captured The Sun Conference championship in 2006-07.
