A solid first step

For one reason or another, history has taken a backseat when it comes to Longwood Athletics and Willett Hall in particular. We’ve talked a lot about in the past how the grounds are devoid of recognition of past championship teams.

The subject of our history was even one of the more passionate ones at the open forum with Troy Austin this past winter. We touched on it a bit in our prior recap.

So why are we bringing it up again? Well, to give a tip of the cap to new Lancer bench boss Griff Aldrich and his staff.

While including imagery and memorabilia from Jerome Kersey might not seem like a big, it’s a huge step in the right direction. We need to embrace our alumni and incorporate their energy into the program. At some point (some rumblings of sooner rather than later…more on that later) we’re going to build a new arena and building takes engagement that leads to some pocketbooks being opened up.

We need to continue to recognize our past. Longwood basketball has gone to a Final Four, appeared in the NCAA Tournament four times, beaten a Big 12 team, and done some other remarkable things. You would never know it though when you walk into Willett Hall.

History also adds weight to a program and can validate Longwood. Let’s face it, it’s easy to negatively recruit against Longwood right now. We’ve had one winning season since beginning a Division I schedule in 2004–05, we have sub-par facilities, and there just isn’t much to celebrate with tradition or culture either. The last part of that is the most easily fixed, because we are and should be recognized as a program with a rich tradition of basketball. It’s our flagship sport and you never know when a Final Four banner in Willett Hall or imagery of a Lancer who made it to the NBA might help to sway a recruit.

We should be proud of where we have been and where we are going.