Bring back the Gem City Jam

Politicians must be held to account
6/24/11
It’s clear that liberals are afraid of Palin
6/24/11
Taxes are a necessary part of any deficit solution
6/24/11
‘Student-athlete’ clearly a term that no longer applies
6/23/11
Banquet offers a glimpse at what’s being lost
6/23/11
> More opinion headlines

5:24 PM Friday, August 7, 2009

Letters to the editor

Re “Early tests await Flyers,” July 23: When I read the University of Dayton Flyers basketball game schedule for 2009-10, it reminded me how much area fans of college basketball and local merchants are missing out on since the elimination of the Wright State vs. the University of Dayton “Gem City Jam” game.

The Flyers athletic director cited a need to upgrade the Flyers’ opponents when he chose to permanently banish the Raiders from the schedule a few years ago.

I don’t mean to belittle the Flyers’ schedule, because the program and fans are and always have been “class,” but Wright State, if inserted into next year’s schedule, would be one of Dayton’s strongest nonconference foes.

Many people believe WSU coach Brad Brownell is one of the top coaches in the country. The team’s Rating Percentage Index ranking of 93 for the 2008-09 season, while disappointing, is still markedly better than some of the matchups on the upcoming Flyers schedule.

This year’s “upgrade” includes Presbyterian, Towson and Lehigh, all of which finished the 2008-09 season with RPI rankings lower than the top 200 D-1 programs in the country.

Most important , in these tough economic times a one-night event like the “Gem City Jam” would be a huge boon for the local economy and a real shot in the arm for the city of Dayton .

The powers that be at the two schools and in local government should see that the game resumes .

Brian Trent

Vandalia

Share this article