March 1, 2004
Dr. Charles Dougherty, University President:
"Thank you all for coming. We're pleased to make two announcements today. First we are extending Danny Nee's contract by two years. At present, Danny is in the third year of a five-year contract. This decision extends the University's commitment for four more years - the two remaining years on his existing contract and the two more we commit to today. We hope this decision gives the program greater stability and helps Danny recruit more players who will make a difference.
This decision was reached on three criteria related to Duquesne's mission and tradition. Duquesne University is a catholic university in the Spiritan tradition. The mission is to serve God by serving students, so that they can serve others throughout their lives and their careers. Our first criterion therefore is religious and ethical. On this score we are very pleased. Danny has recruited and coached for character. The men on our team play a disciplined and selfless game and they are the same solid citizens on campus. We are proud of them both on and off the court.
Our second criterion is academic. We expect Danny to recruit players who take their role as student-athletes seriously and will graduate from Duquesne University. On this score we are also very pleased. This men's team has the highest grade point average since we have kept records.
Finally, Duquesne University has a tradition of excellence in men's basketball. We expect Danny to restore that tradition. We are not there yet, all of us wish the progress had been faster. I know Danny agrees, but progress is being made. This is arguably Duquesne's best men's basketball team in a decade. We believe that under Danny Nee's leadership, there will be greater success in the near future.
So, this contract extension is a University vote of confidence in Danny Nee. We believe that Danny Nee will bring back Duquesne's winning tradition and that he will do it consistent with Duquesne's values.
Our second announcement is our intention to build a new athletic and recreation center. The plan is to demolish the Public Safety Building to the east of the Palumbo Center and to build a two-story building, independent of, but linked to the Palumbo Center. The link, as you can see from the artist rendering, will be a bridge, an internal skywalk over the auxiliary gym, right next to us in Palumbo.
The new building will house all of our athletic offices as well as academic support and training facilities. It will provide improved recruiting space for men's and women's basketball. It will greatly enhance recreational opportunities for our students. We estimate that the building will cost about eight million dollars. We will begin construction when we have raised enough of that figure to be assured that we can afford it. We are counting on support from our alumni and friends who understand the importance of our athletic traditions and the recreational needs of today's student. The new building is part of a recently announced master plan for the development of our campus. In addition to the athletic and recreation benefits to the University, the addition will anchor the development on the east side of our campus and will be a significant beautification of our Uptown view."
