Drexel Dragons
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| Drexel Dragons | |
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| University | Drexel University |
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| Conference | Colonial Athletic Association |
| NCAA | Division I |
| Athletics director | Eric Zillmer |
| Location | Philadelphia, PA |
| Varsity teams | 16 |
| Football stadium | N/A |
| Basketball arena | Daskalakis Athletic Center |
| Mascot | Mario the Magnificent |
| Nickname | Dragons |
| Fight song | N/A |
| Colors | Blue and Gold
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| Homepage | www.drexeldragons.com |
The Drexel Dragons are the athletic teams of Drexel University. The school's athletic program includes 16 NCAA Division I sports including eight men's and eight women's teams. The Dragons compete in the Colonial Athletic Association. Drexel is not a member of the Philadelphia Big 5, which is made up of the University of Pennsylvania, St. Joseph's University, Villanova, Temple University and La Salle University. Drexel's athletic department was ranked first in gender equity by U.S. News.[1] The university has demonstrated a high level of student-athlete academic performance, with a 10 year NCAA graduation rate of 91% compared to a national average of 85%. The university's campus is adjacent to the University of Pennsylvania in the University City section of Philadelphia.
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[edit] Athletic highlights
During the 2007 season, Drexel's basketball team was ranked as high as 35th nationally. They completed the year with a 23 and 9 record while making the NIT postseason tournament for the fourth time in the prior five years. Also in 2007, the Drexel men's lacrosse team defeated the University of Virginia, who was ranked number one in Division I at the time and was the defending national champion. This was the first victory over a number one ranked team in Drexel sports history.[2] The men's lacrosse team completed the season ranked 17th in the season's final USILA Coaches' Poll for Division I. Inside Lacrosse has Drexel rated 18th in their 2008 pre-season ranking.
Drexel has one national championship to its credit. In 1958 with a 12-0-0 record, the men's soccer team was voted NCAA Champion. This occurred the year before the NCAA instituted a playoff and so Drexel's championship is not officially recognized today by the NCAA.
Drexel has also had success participating in the Dad Vail Regatta, the largest regular intercollegiate rowing event in the USA, held on the Schuylkill River. Their rowing teams have won gold medals in the 1997 Men's Frosh/Novice and Men's JV Eight, silver in the 2000 Men's JV Eight, first place in the 2003 Men's Varsity Heavyweight Eight Petite, as well as bronze in the 2005 Women's Varsity Heavyweight Eight.
[edit] Athletic teams
Drexel basketball includes both locally and nationally known players such as Don Maines, Bob Alejnikov, and Malik Rose. Rose and Michael Anderson played in the NBA, while Alejnikov is the only player to ever average a triple double in a season, performing the feat in 1975. Several Drexel alumni have been drafted by NBA teams including: Randy Burkert (9th round of 1982 draft by Philadelphia 76ers), Rich Congo (7th round of 1984 draft by Philadelphia 76ers), and Michael Mitchell (9th round of 1984 draft by Philadelphia 76ers). The Dragons made the NCAA Basketball tournament in 1986, 1994, 1995 and 1996. During the 1996 tournament, Malik Rose led the team to their only second round appearance after an upset of fifth-seeded Memphis.
Jeff Parke was drafted by the Major League Soccer MetroStars in 2004 and is currently a defenseman on the team, now know as Red Bull New York.
Additionally, current Drexel Lacrosse head coach Chris Bates played professionally for the Philadelphia Wings tallying 29 goals and 49 assists in 73 games, winning NLL championships in 1994, 1995 and 1998 with the club.
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Women's
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[edit] DAC Pack
The DAC Pack is the student cheering section for men's and women's basketball games at Drexel University. DAC refers to the Daskalakis Athletic Center, the arena in which the men's and women's home games are played.
Founded in 2002, the DAC Pack has grown from 10 people its first year, to a group consistently filling the student section.[3] On game days members of the DAC Pack are noticeable by the distinctive yellow shirts with the phrase "DAC Pack" on the front.[4]
The DAC Pack has organized such things as the celebration of the tip off of the basketball season (Midnight Madness), half-time contests, organizing trips to the team's away games. The DAC Pack also can be seen attending the various tournaments throughout the year, specifically the season ending conference tournament.
[edit] See Also
[edit] References
- ^ The fairness factor. U.S. News (March 10, 2002). Retrieved on 2007-09-04.
- ^ Drexel basketball ranked 35th in nation. The Triangle (January 12, 2007). Retrieved on 2007-01-29.
- ^ Pack Mentality. The Mid-Majority (February 2, 2005). Retrieved on 2007-09-04.
- ^ Drexel 61, George Mason 49. ESPN (December 28, 2006). Retrieved on 2007-09-03.
[edit] External links
- Drexel
- Official Drexel Dragons athletics site
- The DAC Pack Official Web Site
- CAA Zone (CAA Zone Drexel sports messageboard)
- USILA Coaches' Poll for Division I
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