Staff writer Derrick Neuner talked with Athletic Director Chris May a year after May’s arrival at SLU. The following discussion touched on the highlights of last year as well as what to look forward to in the future for Billiken athletics.
How has your first year at Saint Louis University gone?
Athletic Director Chris May: The first year has been an absolutelye great experience, both for me and for the programs. When we start the first few months opening up one of the best facilities in the nation, it puts you on a good trajectory.
Do you have a “best Billiken moment” of 2008-2009?
CM: There are so many for me. Opening Chaifetz Arena, volleyball beating Stanford, men and women’s soccer, women basketball competing with Oklahoma and Xavier, huge wins for men’s basketball against Boston College and Dayton, Baseball beating Illinois and playing at Busch Stadium, I could go on and on. It’s been a special year for the Billikens all around.
What’s it like working alongside the likes of Rick Majerus and rising stars like Anne Kordes?
CM: The great part about being at SLU is the culture about being successful. We’ve got some very exceptional coaches who, from Majerus, a Hall of Fame basketball coach, to Anne Kordes, Dan Donigan, we have some veryspecial people leading us. Working with coaches who try to be the best every day is all I could hope for. It’s a good time to be at SLU.
What are your short term or long term goals here at SLU?
CM: We’re working hard to be competitive in all areas. helping coaches execute their plans to be successful while at the same time helping the students … to compete at the high levels, succeed in the classroom, and be part of the community. It’s definitely something to be proud of. I’m thrilled for what future holds for us. It’s exciting to be in this role. You get to talk to other ADs and coaches, and everybody knows something special is happening at SLU.
Is the economic downturn affecting your job and the ability to compete at high athletic levels?
CM: You know, finances are always a challenge. We’re working daily on how to maximize the resources we have and how we can put the Billikens in the best position to compete. It’s a challenge. We spend a lot of time working on expenses and cutting spending where it’s not needed. I think the whole institution, because of its value and strength, will get this.
How will you spend your summer?
CM: There’s nothing quiet about the summer. We will lay out plans for fall and start executing them.
We’re already planning a huge event with volleyball, who will be hosting two-time reigning NCAA champions Penn State. We are working hard towards focusing on selling out Chaifetz on the 29th of August. The game is going to be a big deal, so we’re working hard to fill the arena. We want to try to kick of the year right.
How do you enhance the national exposure to SLU?
CM: That’s a bi-product of having successful programs. You know, the more successful you are program-to-program, the more the nation will take attention. People in the basketball world know that Majerus is here and we’re going to be good real soon . same for soccer, volleyball, they all know about SLU sports. I think we as continue to build . the facilities here have greatly enhanced . we are going to compete at a higher level and we’ll gain the higher notoriety. We’re working with the Atlantic 10 Conference to get better TV deals, and there are other things in the works that will continue to help the prominence of the Billikens. We just need to stay the course. There are great days to experience ahead of us.
