March 10, 2021

Dear Students and Colleagues,

Yesterday was a banner day for our Drexel community. It was such a thrill to watch the Drexel Men's Basketball team defeat a very talented team from Elon University in the Colonial Athletic Association championship game, propelling Coach Zach Spiker's squad to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 1996. We know how proud and excited all of us are in celebrating this special moment.

To Coach Spiker, his assistant coaches and our incredible student-athletes, congratulations! And to Director of Athletics Eric Zillmer, we cannot think of a more well-deserved way to close out his more than 22 years at the helm of collegiate sports for the University.

Now, we have the excitement of the week ahead, as the basketball team prepares to leave for the NCAA Tournament in Indiana, Selection Sunday, and the tournament itself.

Coming off a time when they couldn't compete due to the pandemic, the women and men of Drexel Athletics have come roaring back — none more so than the men's basketball team. The players, coaches and staff showed incredible perseverance in the face of COVID-19, meeting one challenge after another with discipline, resilience and hard work. That's the quintessential Drexel story.

After such a difficult year for all of us, we needed a win. And the men's basketball team has given it to us.

Our thanks, and congratulations. Go, Dragons!

Sincerely,

John Fry
President

Subir Sahu, PhD
Senior Vice President for Student Success