SPRINGFIELD, Ohio - The University of Dayton and Wittenberg
University have announced that they have agreed to meet on the
basketball court next year, and on the football field in 2005 and
2006.
"We think this is a good thing for UD and Wittenberg," UD
Associate Vice-President for Athletics Tim Wabler said. "We're sure
fans of both programs at both schools will be excited about the
games."
The meeting on the basketball court will be an exhibition game
between the two men's programs on November 9, 2002. That will be
the first game in the "new" University of Dayton Arena, which is
currently undergoing a $12.1 million renovation. The UD women's
team will also play an exhibition game that day.
"I think that this an opportunity for us to get better by playing
non-conference opponents the caliber of Dayton. It allows us to
showcase our talents outside the Springfield community," Wittenberg
Director of Athletics and recreation Garnett Purnell added.
NCAA regulations permit Division I schools, such as UD, to play
Division III schools, such as Wittenberg as exhibition games. In
the past, when the games counted on the teams' won-loss record, the
two teams played 43 times, with Wittenberg holding a 27-16 edge.
The series began in the 1905-06 season, but Dayton and Wittenberg
have only met twice in the last 25 years.
"Our players, coaches and fans are very excited about the
opportunity to compete against the Flyers," Wittenberg Head Men's
Basketball Coach Bill Brown said. "It is a chance for our players
to showcase both NCAA Division III basketball as well as our own
program."
The Flyer and Tiger football programs are two of the most
successful in NCAA history. UD competes at the NCAA Division I-AA
non-scholarship level, while Wittenberg plays NCAA Division III
football, which is also non-scholarship.
"These are two high-quality institutions, athletic programs and
football teams," UD Head Football Coach Mike Kelly said. "Add in
the local flavor, and you couldn't ask for more. In recent years
our freshman teams have played some very competitive and spirited
games. Both teams have a lot of respect for each other."
The differences between the two football programs are subtle, so
while the basketball meeting is an exhibition, the football games
will be part of the schools regular seasons. The first game is
tentatively scheduled to be played at Dayton on September 10, 2005,
and the return at Wittenberg on September 6, 2006.
"This is a good opportunity for our players and this university to
compete against a quality local opponent in the University of
Dayton," Wittenberg Head Football Coach Joe Fincham said.
Dayton leads the football series 12-6. Fifteen of the meetings
came before World War II. The two teams met twice in 1988, and once
in 1989. Dayton won the '88 season opener 35-0, but Wittenberg came
back to win 35-28 in overtime in the first round of the Division
III playoffs (UD was Division III in football from 1977 to 1992).
UD then won the 1989 season opener at Wittenberg 28-3.
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