Major Catholic university, college town set for Florida (Jeb Bush quoted as well)

Ave Maria U. ^ | 11/20/2002 | Ave Maria U.

[Desdemona]

I'm looking forward, actually, to a new univeristy - a new sense of purpose and spirit.

And yes, I'm installing my contribution, but still sending it in.

[FreeTally]

And who knows? In a few years we could have another nationally ranked football team here in Florida," added Gov. Bush.

I sincerely hope Jeb was joking, and not being ignorant. Both USF and UCF have larger student bodies than this will probably ever have, and their teams have never been nationally ranked n ot to mention it wouldn't even be Div. 1.

Don't be a goober, Jeb.

[patent]

Notre Dame has about 7500 undergrads, I believe, as well as a couple thousand graduate students.

[FreeTally]

Notre Dame has about 7500 undergrads, I believe, as well as a couple thousand graduate students.

And Notre Dame is a popular university that has been around for what, 150-200 years? My point is that the school could not get enough recruits to be a Div 1-A team. I may be wrong about the size of enrollment playing a major part, but UCF, USF and even FIU have football teams and aren't nationally ranked(even though they have put players in the pros).

[patent]

>>>My point is that the school could not get enough recruits to be a Div 1-A team.

I agree with that, it will be some time before they can field a team, much less compete at Div. 1-A.

[ELS]

At least think about contributing as a founder.

Yeah, I've been procrastinating. I received Fr. Fessio's letter, via Ignatius Press, a while back. I guess it's time to put my money where my mouth is.

patent, thanks for posting this. The concept seems quite appealing. I'm almost tempted to move to Florida. Almost.

[ThomasMore]

This is phenomenal news.

God Bless Tom Monaghan, Barron Collier Companies, and Fr. Fessio!

[cyncooper]

I highlighted that quote to ping somebody. I'm female so not the football afficionado you might be. I thought it was cute and meant as supportive--not a prediction.

(Though isn't it true that hope always springs eternal for sports fans?)

[BlackElk]

But, Ave Maria will actually be Catholic, unlike Notre Dame, as long as Monaghan has anything to say about it and maybe much longer if he is careful in developing it.

[ThomasMore]

Hi AC,

Let's see... we have in our Mass/RI area

PC = Providence College = Partly Catholic
BC = Boston College = Barely Catholic
HC = Holy Cross = Hardly Catholic
AC = Assumption College = Almost Catholic

are there any others? LOL!

[SuziQ]

Thanks so much, patent. We had received a letter from Ft. Fessio about a month ago asking folks to become Founders of the new university (which we did). I didn't know where the school was going to be located, I was just intrigued by the concept of the 'University town', and even more excited about a TRULY Catholic university. I know the original Ave Maria College is in Michigan, and I was hoping they'd locate somewhere WARMER! This is exciting. It sounds as though they'll be open by the time our daughter is ready for college!

[patent]

But, Ave Maria will actually be Catholic, unlike Notre Dame,

True, but so far as I know being Catholic doesn’t hurt your football skills. On the other hand the Bishop’s comment in the article gave me pause, being that it wasn’t limited to sports:

"It is exciting to think that our diocese will include what may some day become the Notre Dame of the South," said Bishop Nevins

patent  +AMDG

[The Iguana]

Monoghan Bump.

A Catholic school that actually promotes Catholic morals and ideals?

It's a novel thought these days.

[Notwithstanding]

Monaghan - former owner of the Tigers - ALWAYS mentions that someday the university will have a top notch Div I sports program. I am convinced it will happen.

[bourbon]

I think this is great news!

I am already familiar with the school of law, but this article doesn't mention it. Do you think the school of law will also move to FL? Any word on this?

[ELS]

When will you be graduating from Ave Maria School of Law?

[davidwendell]

He will graduate in May, the same time I am.

My sister goes to Ave Maria College, and I know a number of the professors personally. Some of them have indicated that the future of this university is in doubt, due to a tyrannical administration. The president of the school lowered the academic standards and then replaced the dean with a VERY young (nice, but young) and impressionable dean.

My sister loves the school, and all schools have their problems, but lowering academic standards (and driving away your best professors) and placing such an emphasis on athletics is a recipe for failure.

[Aquinasfan]

I can only think of a handful of Catholic universities that would be worth the tuition. Ave Maria would be one of them. The others: Steubenville, Aquinas, Christendom. Anyone know of any other good, orthodox, Catholic universities?

[ThomasMore]

Hey, does anyone know why post #32 was removed?