Thrilling Spring Season for Panther athletics

What a thrilling spring season it was for Panther athletics. Believe me, I turned to the sports pages each morning with unusual anticipation, wondering what our exceptional teams had accomplished the day before. Most recently, of course, I was very happy to be there when the men’s varsity four won gold and the varsity eight won bronze at the Aberdeen Dad Vail Regatta.

We had so many more reasons to cheer: The baseball team was one of six teams chosen from the South Region to compete in the NCAA Division II Baseball Championship. . .

the men’s and women’s golf teams qualified for the NCAA Division II Golf Championships in the same season for the first time in school history. . . Athletics Director Bill Jurgens and head women’s soccer coach Fidgi Haig were inducted into the Space Coast Sports Hall of Fame. . . head men’s lacrosse coach Ryan McAleavey was named Deep South Conference Coach of the Year in only his second season. . . head women’s basketball coach John Reynolds was chosen South Region Coach of the Year by the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association.

And now we have the excitement of football to look forward to. We were honored to have Heisman Trophy winner Doug Flutie speak at our Inside the Huddle banquet and we’ve set the football team’s inaugural schedule. The Panthers will play 11 games this fall, including six home games at Palm Bay High School’s Pirate Stadium. Ticket sales continue to be strong and we have fantastic community and alumni interest. I hope to see you there.

And, mark your calendars. Florida Tech’s home football game on Sept. 19 against West Alabama is going to be shown on national TV on CBS Sports Network.