January 2017 AD Newsletter with Pat Lyons
1/6/2017 4:58:00 PM | AD Newsletter with Bryan Felt
AD Newsletter - January 2017
As we enjoy the first few days of 2017, I'd like to wish Happy New Year to all of you in Pirate Nation! We hope that 2017 will bring you, our student-athletes, our coaches & staff and our entire Seton Hall community good health and prosperity.
Come Support Our Highly Rated Men's Basketball Team This Month
Toughness and grit. That's what our men's basketball team has shown throughout the season so far and it's led to an 11-3 record overall, 1-1 early in the BIG EAST schedule and ratings that have firmly placed it as a top-50 team in the country.
As we saw during the sold-out Garden State Hardwood Classic, our fan environment can make a huge difference with our student-athletes. So if you haven't already committed to coming see the Pirates play in January, you have three more opportunities this month, beginning tomorrow vs. DePaul, a noon game that also is serving as our Kids Day.
- Saturday, Jan. 7 vs. DePaul (12 p.m.) - TICKETS
- Sunday, Jan. 22 vs. St. John's (12 p.m.) - TICKETS
- Wednesday, Jan. 25 vs. Butler (8:30 p.m.) - TICKETS
I'd like to also mention that we are on track to have our largest single-game attendance ever on Saturday, Feb. 18 when we host Villanova. In December, after selling out the lower bowl of Prudential Center, we opted to open up the 100 level, and those seats went fast. We have recently made the 200 level seats available for purchase, and with over 14,000 tickets already sold, Feb. 18 is looking like it will be an unforgettable atmosphere for a Seton Hall basketball game.
Come Support Our Women's Basketball Team During an Important Month
Our women's basketball team is young, but they are hungry, and they know how to fight, as evidenced by the team's thrilling BIG EAST opening victory over rival St. John's last week, a game that featured five ties, five lead changes and no leads higher than seven points. Our women persevered, and, with a fantastic crowd of Pirates fans supporting them, found a way to win a very important game.
The women's team is 8-6 overall with wins over two ACC foes and face a very difficult DePaul team this Sunday, one of six home games at Walsh Gymnasium that you can catch this month. When we #PackWalsh, our women thrive off of your support. I hope to see you at a game this month.
- Sunday, Jan. 8 vs. DePaul (2 p.m.) - TICKETS
- Tuesday, Jan. 10 vs. Marquette (7 p.m.) - TICKETS
- Friday, Jan. 20 vs. Providence (7 p.m.) - TICKETS
- Sunday, Jan. 22 vs. Creighton (11 a.m.) - TICKETS
- Friday, Jan. 27 vs. Xavier (7 p.m.) - TICKETS
- Sunday, Jan. 29 vs. Butler (2 p.m.) - TICKETS
Also, I'd like to note that last week's game against St. John's was part of an historic FS2 broadcast that featured both head coaches mic'd up the entire game. If you get a chance, please read this New York Times article about the evening.
Deadline for BIG EAST Men's Basketball Tickets is One Week Away
We are only 61 days away from the 2017 BIG EAST Men's Basketball Tournament at Madison Square Garden, and now is the time to make sure you get your tickets for the event. If you are a season ticket holder, you would have received information in the mail about securing your tickets. The deadline to make the purchase is Friday, Jan. 13, a week from today.
I think you all remember what happened at last year's tournament, so you know that watching the Pirates play at The Garden can be a memorable experience. Don't miss it; be sure to get your tickets today! Call the ticket office at (973) 275-HALL to make your purchase.
First Pitch Dinner
The baseball program's First Pitch Dinner is just three weeks away, Thursday, Jan. 26, and this is always a great event that brings back baseball alumni and helps ring in the new year as our current student-athletes get ready to take on the 2017 season.
This year's special guest is Tony DeFrancesco, who played three seasons for Coach Mike Sheppard here at Seton Hall from 1981-84 and was a ninth-round MLB Draft pick, selected by the Boston Red Sox. After a nine-year professional baseball career, he got into coaching and managing, and he now has amassed nearly 1,500 career wins as a minor league manager. In addition, he served as the interim manager of the Houston Astros late in the 2012 season.
We are looking forward to hearing from Tony and how he has built an outstanding baseball career. If you would like to join us for the event, please use the attached brochure for information and then call the Pirate Blue office at (973) 275-6447 to register.
Save The Date: 2017 Hall of Fame Induction June 1
The Seton Hall Athletics Hall of Fame induction ceremony is one of the best nights on the calendar because we get the opportunity to honor and celebrate the best of the best among our Pirates alumni.
Please save the date today - we will hold our 2017 ceremony on Thursday, June 1, and I look forward to sharing more information about our inductees in this newsletter next month.
GO PIRATES!
