Northwestern University Athletics
Positively Dr. Gragg - Vol. 1, February 2022
2/7/2022 9:05:00 AM | General
Team,
Several weeks ago, I had the privilege of attending Senior Day for our swimming and diving student-athletes at Norris Aquatics Center. Both the venue and the celebration of our senior student-athletes served as a reminder of just how quickly time moves, especially on a college campus.
In February 2020, our women's swimming and diving team posted its best finish in nearly two decades at the Big Ten Championships, while the men's team scored the most points in program history. Several Wildcats earned invitations to the 2020 NCAA Championships. Then, just two weeks later, the world stopped. The NCAA Championship opportunity was ripped away and, since then, our swimmers and divers have had the chance to compete in their home pool only three weekends over the last two years. Students who felt in the winter of 2020 like they had miles of runway left in their college careers suddenly find themselves approaching alumni status in the blink of an eye.
More than a decade ago, Athletics and Recreation took on the challenge of creating the first Master Facilities Plan in the history of the department. Its ambition was astonishing, given the state of the physical infrastructure at the time. But it laid out a bold course that NUDAR would follow to deliver the incredible advancements we've seen here on campus. This year's swimming and diving Senior Day took place in a natatorium that has changed significantly, even since my arrival last summer, with new state-of-the-art lighting, record boards and a digital scoreboard.
In our industry, we all find ourselves so busy with the day-to-day rigors of our responsibilities that it can be easy to lose sight of the horizon and to stay on track towards the *next* level of excellence.
Now, we must chart the course for the next three to five years—who are we, what we strive to be and what new ambitious goals should be set for our department. To that end, we are embarking on an inclusive strategic planning process for NUDAR, and I am thrilled that Deputy A.D./Chief of Staff Monique Holland will be leading our strategic planning efforts, in addition to her work overseeing our external units and serving as a chief advisor to me. Over the next several months, Monique will spearhead the creation of a broad-based, thoughtful, intentional plan to set Athletics & Recreation up for success for years to come. Many of you will be asked to contribute to this process, and your passion and expertise will be invaluable. Northwestern University expects excellence in all areas, and we are no different.
My first six months at Northwestern have been both invigorating and challenging. One main constant is that the strength and tenacity of our group is undeniable. I am extremely grateful to be able to lead such a talented, inspirational team.
I wanted to share a few notes from the past month, as well as a book recommendation for your consideration.
Thank you for all that you do. Go 'Cats!
Positively,
Dr. Derrick Gragg
Combe Family Vice President for Athletics & Recreation
Reading Recommendation:
Will (by Will Smith) – I thought Will was a truly entertaining and inspirational story from start-to-finish about the star's transformation from a fearful child in a tense West Philadelphia home to one of the biggest rap stars of his era and then to one of the biggest movie stars in Hollywood history. For those who listen to audiobooks, I HIGHLY recommend this one, as Smith reads it himself which adds to the depth and emotion.
Quote Of The Month:
"Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass. It's about learning to dance in the rain."
-Vivian Greene
Several weeks ago, I had the privilege of attending Senior Day for our swimming and diving student-athletes at Norris Aquatics Center. Both the venue and the celebration of our senior student-athletes served as a reminder of just how quickly time moves, especially on a college campus.
In February 2020, our women's swimming and diving team posted its best finish in nearly two decades at the Big Ten Championships, while the men's team scored the most points in program history. Several Wildcats earned invitations to the 2020 NCAA Championships. Then, just two weeks later, the world stopped. The NCAA Championship opportunity was ripped away and, since then, our swimmers and divers have had the chance to compete in their home pool only three weekends over the last two years. Students who felt in the winter of 2020 like they had miles of runway left in their college careers suddenly find themselves approaching alumni status in the blink of an eye.
More than a decade ago, Athletics and Recreation took on the challenge of creating the first Master Facilities Plan in the history of the department. Its ambition was astonishing, given the state of the physical infrastructure at the time. But it laid out a bold course that NUDAR would follow to deliver the incredible advancements we've seen here on campus. This year's swimming and diving Senior Day took place in a natatorium that has changed significantly, even since my arrival last summer, with new state-of-the-art lighting, record boards and a digital scoreboard.
In our industry, we all find ourselves so busy with the day-to-day rigors of our responsibilities that it can be easy to lose sight of the horizon and to stay on track towards the *next* level of excellence.
Now, we must chart the course for the next three to five years—who are we, what we strive to be and what new ambitious goals should be set for our department. To that end, we are embarking on an inclusive strategic planning process for NUDAR, and I am thrilled that Deputy A.D./Chief of Staff Monique Holland will be leading our strategic planning efforts, in addition to her work overseeing our external units and serving as a chief advisor to me. Over the next several months, Monique will spearhead the creation of a broad-based, thoughtful, intentional plan to set Athletics & Recreation up for success for years to come. Many of you will be asked to contribute to this process, and your passion and expertise will be invaluable. Northwestern University expects excellence in all areas, and we are no different.
My first six months at Northwestern have been both invigorating and challenging. One main constant is that the strength and tenacity of our group is undeniable. I am extremely grateful to be able to lead such a talented, inspirational team.
I wanted to share a few notes from the past month, as well as a book recommendation for your consideration.
Thank you for all that you do. Go 'Cats!
Positively,
Dr. Derrick Gragg
Combe Family Vice President for Athletics & Recreation
Reading Recommendation:
Will (by Will Smith) – I thought Will was a truly entertaining and inspirational story from start-to-finish about the star's transformation from a fearful child in a tense West Philadelphia home to one of the biggest rap stars of his era and then to one of the biggest movie stars in Hollywood history. For those who listen to audiobooks, I HIGHLY recommend this one, as Smith reads it himself which adds to the depth and emotion.
Quote Of The Month:
"Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass. It's about learning to dance in the rain."
-Vivian Greene
Baseball - 'Cats Even Series with 7-6 Victory over Rutgers (5/15/26)
Friday, May 15
Lacrosse - NCAA Quarterfinals vs Colorado Postgame Press Conference
Thursday, May 14
Lacrosse - NCAA Tournament 2nd Round vs JMU Postgame Press Conference (5/10/26)
Sunday, May 10
Baseball - 'Cats Ground Redbirds in 7-1 Midweek Victory (5/5/26)
Tuesday, May 05
