April 4, 2001

Question from Andrew Montano:1. Coach, with the success of your squad in the last two years, and your entire tenure overall, are there plans to upgrade the home schedule even more. I know your schedule has been very brutal this year, but some more name recognition teams from the SEC and ACC would help you get more recognition...and bring in more fans. I assume they are scared to play down here though!
2. Are there any plans to apply for an NCAA regional this year?
3. How is recruiting going so far?
Congratulations on 600 wins!!

A:1. We have played many big programs such as NC State, Kentucky, East Carolina, Rutgers, Miami, Minnesota, and Oklahoma State at home in recent years. It is tough to get big programs to come here, but is not because they are scared.
2. Unfortunately, we will probably not be in a good position to host a regional tournament since number one seeds usually receive the honor. We will bid to host the regional if possible.
3. Recruiting is going well this year.

Question from Josh Gardner:Heavy recruiting was done for the 2001 FAU team. Will you be looking to replace some of the players of this year, or will you be staying with as many veteran players as possible? Will the team be reconstructed?

A:The status of this year's players for next year will be determined by their performance during the balance of the season. We feel that we have had a solid recruiting year, which will add good players to the young ones returning.

Question from Andrew Montano: Coach, why is the baseball team called the Blue Wave, while the rest of the FAU teams are known as the Owls-personally I love it! Also, are there any plans to add more seating to the stadium as I anticipate your solid program to continue it's success - that Miami game was AMAZING!!!

A:ORIGIN OF THE BLUE WAVE
As with many traditions in college athletics, the origin of The Blue Wave has more than one story, so we will begin with the most recent, and work our way back.

In the cold winter of 1988, a group of FAU coaches and the Director of Athletics were engaged in an after hours discussion of the Owl as a mascot. Its less than fearsome image had the group in search of something that would inspire and intimidate. The idea of keeping the Owl as a mascot but creating a nickname for the sports teams was born that night.

There were a number of favorites argued over, but it was agreed FAU teams needed something using our color blue and denoting strength and power. "Big Blue" was taken already by Michigan and IBM, the "Sharks" by Spanish River HS. A student assistant basketball coach had the inspiration to focus on the nearby Atlantic Ocean. "What about the Blue Wave?" The question hung for a moment in the cold night air. At once the group knew it had found a winner. All that remained was to find a design that would work. Coach Cooney enlisted the help of pitcher Bob Boyle, an art major. The design that is now used is the result of Bob's talent.

After the 1999 season Coach Cooney received a congratulatory letter from Armand Grossman, who was a member of the first athletic team ever to compete for Florida Atlantic University in 1965. Mr. Grossman and his teammates played softball in the Boca Raton Men's Softball League. Their nickname? The Blue Wave! In their second season, the Blue Wave placed seven players on the league all-star team. In 1999 eight Blue Wave players signed pro baseball contracts. The tradition continues.

As for your second question, we are actively seeking funding for a 3-4 million dollar stadium. Thanks for your support.