How is the women's ice hockey program progressing?

We're thrilled with how quickly our women's ice program has established itself among its Division I peers since becoming a varsity program. In just our third season at the varsity level, we have quickly evolved from the ranks of a club team into a Hockey East contender, going from 12 wins in its inaugural season to 19 wins last year. We continue to schedule aggressively, playing the likes of national powers Minnesota, Mercyhurst and Dartmouth.

Now with a full complement of 18 scholarships (the maximum number allowed by the NCAA), head coach Brian Durocher and his staff are recruiting well, seeking the young women who will help grow the next hockey tradition at BU.

I know I speak for the entire athletic department in saying that we are proud of its progress and are excited to see the women's ice hockey program take the next steps.

We are especially proud of how the program has been recognized and received -- regionally and nationally -- as evident by BU being chosen to host the 30th annual 2008 Women's Beanpot at Walter Brown Arena (Feb. 5 and 12 at 5 and 8 pm) and the 2009 Women's Frozen Four at Agganis Arena.

If you have not yet seen our women's ice hockey team in action, check out a game. Here is the schedule and how to buy tickets.

What does the Beanpot Tournament mean for Boston University Athletics?

The Beanpot is one of the greatest traditions at Boston University. Obviously it is important to the hockey programs and the athletic department, but this event is an annual highlight that truly has been woven into the fabric of the entire university.

So much history and so many memories are associated with the Beanpot. A large part of our tradition is the success we have enjoyed, capturing a remarkable 28 of the 55 men's tournaments.

The Beanpot has really developed into a preeminent event on the Boston sports scene. City pride and bragging rights are on the line every year when we take to the ice against the other three schools, making the intense competition that much more enjoyable and memorable. It truly is the premiere regular-season tournament in college ice hockey, and one of the most special events in all of intercollegiate athletics.

How have the relatively recent additions of Agganis Arena, the Track and Tennis Center and the new pool at the Fitness and Recreation Center affected BU Athletics?

In order to field competitive programs throughout the athletic department, it is imperative that we provide our teams with the best facilities in which to train and compete. The addition of many new facilities has elevated our programs by offering better tools for recruitment and all of the resources they need to contend.

Already, we have seen significant returns, as our men's and women's track programs under Robyne Johnson and our men's and women's swimming and diving teams under Bill Smyth have improved significantly since they moved into the Track and Tennis Center and the Fitness and Recreation Center, respectively.

Of course, Coach Jack Parker and the men's ice hockey team are housed in Agganis Arena, one of the nicest arenas/rinks in college hockey. The state-of-the-art facility has further solidified that program, not to mention offers future opportunities for our basketball teams.

It is important to our student-athletes, and critical for the fulfillment of our athletic department's mission, to offer every Terrier the best possible chance to succeed. We strongly believe that our physical plant is one of the many ways we can best position ourselves now and for the future. We continually will explore ways to improve and enhance our facilities in order to move our program forward and allow it the best possible chance to compete at the highest levels.

Thanks to everyone who submitted questions. Keep them coming and we'll talk again next month!

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