SHANGHAI, China – My US Airways Preferred Gold status meant nothing on our Shanghai Airline flight, which was a decent flight, with the exception that it was a very, very busy travel day in China and we had to move as a team through the crowed airport. The long delays and cramped condition on the flight did not, however, seem to affect our team's performance the next day. In their best outing to date Drexel defeated Shanghai Jiao Tong University (SJTU) 82-49. SJTU, a top No. 2 team among China's universities, was the best team so far the Dragons faced. With the backdrop of a friendly practice game - the 46,000-student population was on break - Drexel looked sharp and focused from the tip-off. We all knew that SJTU had beaten Yale University in the past, but our team was ready. Over 65 people attended the Drexel University reception
SJTU, one of the oldest and most prestigious universities in China, is a partner university of Drexel. Drexel's close relationship with SJTU affirms our commitment abroad and positions us as a global leader in higher education and international collaborative research. Under the leadership of President John Fry and Julie Mostov, vice provost for global initiatives, Shanghai Jiao Tong University has become a strategic partner in many research projects, including the first Drexel-Sari International Symposium, which was held in Shanghai last year. Playing SJTU was not quite like playing a Philadelphia Big 5 school, but international bragging rights were on the line anyway. By the way, a so-called "friendly" athletics contest means no permanent records are kept and that all involved parties are friendly before and after the contest, including a gift exchange between players, coaches and administrators. During the game the contestants play hard, sometimes very, very hard.The bottom line is in sports is that no one wants to lose, even a friendly!
Perhaps the Dragons were inspired by the overwhelming turnout from Drexel supporters the night before. Over 65 attended the Drexel University reception at the JW Marriott, including 27 incoming Chinese freshman and transfer students. There was so much excitement in the air about the intellectual potential coming to Drexel. Almost the entire freshman announced they were going to major in engineering.
When I asked to have all incoming freshman stand up, five members of our Drexel Dragon team responded as well. I sometimes forget about our own team since I see them every day, but it was a nice gesture that our basketball team has this in common with the anxious but excited group assembled that evening. Two alumni were also at the dinner. They included Kara Spiller, who has earned a bachelors and a Ph.D. from Drexel, and Daniel Tedesco, who studied international areas studies at Drexel. Both had also received Fulbright Fellowships, which is very impressive. I asked the two alums to tell the dinner group about how their Drexel degree benefitted them and what they are currently working on in Shanghai. I was blown away, as was the audience, when they addressed the group in fluent Chinese. I asked them where they learned to speak Chinese like that and they told me at Drexel!
Over 65 people attended a Drexel University Chinese student's reception.The basketball friendly on Monday will be another matter. That is when Drexel will face its toughest test, the Shanghai Sharks; a professional team owned by Yao Ming the Chinese former Houston Rocket star. But before our final contest we will do some sightseeing and shopping. Planned are a river cruise on the Huang Pu River, and we will go to the top of the Shanghai World Financial Center; a 1,500 feet tall building that looks like a big bottle opener. Yesterday we were lucky to get access to one of the top rooftop restaurants in the world: Flair. Flair is located on the 55th floor of the Shanghai Ritz Carlton. The view from Flair was magical, which is the word I would use to describe the entire China experience so far.
I will check back in from China one more time after our tussle with the Sharks.
Drexel's Autocomplete With Men's Basketball Coach Zach SpikerDrexel's Autocomplete With Men's Basketball Coach Zach Spiker
Tuesday, March 18
"A to Z: With Coaches Amy Mallon & Zach Spiker" Season 2 Episode 1 - Success After Drexel"A to Z: With Coaches Amy Mallon & Zach Spiker" Season 2 Episode 1 - Success After Drexel
