Pretentious Penn finally visiting DAC after almost a century

By: Mike Mazzeo

Posted: 9/26/08

Drexel men's basketball coach Bruiser Flint had been politicking for his team to host Penn ever since his tenure began eight years ago.

"It's the 20th meeting of Drexel-Penn," Flint said last year after the Dragons knocked off the Quakers in overtime for just their fifth win in the history of the rivalry. "Not once have they come to play at the DAC."

However, thanks to a series of fortunate events and a strong stance by the athletic administration, there will finally be a change of venue.

For the first time in the series, which dates all the way back to the 1920-1921 season, the two teams will play at the Daskalakis Athletic Center Nov. 18 on ESPN (yes, ESPN) at 10 a.m. as Penn makes the 0.1 mile trek up 33rd Street to Dragons' territory.

But why would Penn make the switch from its historic, 7,500-seat Palestra to Drexel's home court, which seats approximately two-thirds fewer fans and has been compared numerous times to a high school gymnasium? Why would the Quakers, who already made the game part of their season-ticket package, decide to make the change and play at 10 in the morning?

Was it because when ESPN comes calling and gives smaller leagues like the CAA-or gasp, the Ivy League-a chance for national exposure, on a day in which the network will show almost 24 hours straight of college basketball, that they might just jump at the opportunity?

"I hope they're [Penn] not just doing it because they have the chance to play on ESPN," Flint said. "I hope they realize that this can happen every other year."

It most certainly can, Bru. But will it?

Probably not.

I'd like to think that Penn's motive for the switch was that it had finally gained an understanding that a true rivalry involves both teams getting an equal opportunity to enjoy a homecourt advantage.

I'd like to think that two years from now when I've graduated, I can come home from work if I don't reside in Philadelphia and watch Drexel beat the Quakers at the DAC via webcast. Until that actually happens, however, we are essentially at Penn's mercy.

They hold all the cards-at least until the construction of the Armory is finally completed.

I mean, they balked at this idea in the first place.

Now if you're reading this and believe that I'm not grateful that Penn would make this move, that's simply not the case. And I'd like to take this opportunity to thank Penn for finally deciding to play in our building, even if it's only incentive was ESPN.

Most fans would agree with me that going to see a game at the Palestra is a special event, especially one that pits the Dragons and the Quakers.

However, it's up to our University, from our student body to our administration, to make this game one to remember for eternity.

Let's cancel classes and make this event a holiday. Let's pack the DAC and make this an unforgettable experience, just as the Sam Houston State game was three years ago.

For others, and myself you see, playing on ESPN for the first time in thirteen years isn't the biggest story here.

We've won and lost against Penn in the Palestra before.

We'd just like to win-or lose-in the DAC, and now the opportunity is upon us.

But whatever the outcome, at least we're making history.