No surprise that Friday’s women’s basketball game against ISU is sold out, given the intense rivalry that has heated up the courts for years.

But the rivalry has also moved off the basketball court. This year, the two schools held blood drives to see which could collect the most donations. The school that wins will be in possession of a traveling trophy.

Yesterday Bradley students filled the Markin Center court to support Bradley and a very worthy cause.

Although the game is sold out, limited tickets are still available for Bradley students, who should call the ticket office at (309) 677-2625.

Those not lucky enough to have a ticket to the 7:05 p.m. match can still watch the game on Peoria’s WTVP Channel 47 or listen on WMBD 1470 AM.

On Saturday, the ISU and BU men’s teams will play at ISU in a 3:05 p.m. game. This game has also sold out, but can be seen on Comcast (Peoria 78) and heard on 1470 WMBD AM.

 I hope you will tune in and help cheer on the teams.

“Go Braves!”

A wonderful new campus tradition began at Bradley last Friday evening as we celebrated our first class of outstanding first-year students. These 44 students were nominated for the honor by instructors of a freshman course, The University Experience, which introduces students to college life. Students chosen for the Outstanding First-Year Student Awards demonstrated enthusiasm and the potential to be a student leader.

The tables for the evening were festooned with bright red cloths and shiny stars, creating a perfect atmosphere for celebrating the bright futures of these students. But an even more beautiful sight was when the students gathered around President Glasser to have their photo taken. What an amazing group of young faces - what a promise for the future.

As President Glasser said, looking out at the students: “I see in your faces not only Bradley’s future, but also America’s future. I see doctors and lawyers, businesswomen and community leaders, poets and philanthropists. I’m thankful that these success stories will be rooted in our campus, nurtured by the Bradley family.”

She is absolutely right. Congratulations to these students on a successful first semester at Bradley. They have already made an impression.

For the names and majors of the students honored, visit Newsline.

I was startled this morning by a clamor, which I learned came all the way from the ninth floor of Geisert Hall, our tallest residence hall on campus.

I wondered what these students were doing up at such an hour when school doesn’t start for one more day. Had someone won the lottery? Was there a spider in the shower?

And then I remembered it’s Inauguration Day.

The young women huddled around their lounge television talking over politics, with the occasional quip about a politician’s hairdo, before the ceremony began.

Silence fell upon them when Obama began his speech. They all stared intently at the screen with the occasional murmur of agreement or outburst of applause. They were captivated by his speech and moved by the deeper meaning of today’s Inauguration.

My mind wanders back to Election Day last November. Once again, I heard a lot of noise; only this time, it was in the evening. All the way from Bradley Hall, I could hear students in the dorms screaming, “Obama won! Obama won!”

Bradley students also celebrated in the street. They cheered for the new leadership and, more importantly, the rise of a new day. History had been made, and this nation would never be the same.

In all the years that I’ve been observing Bradley students, I’ve witnessed evolution – social evolution. I see it in the diverse bonds students form at Bradley and the lessons they learn from each other.

We are truly blessed to live in a nation where such change is possible. Today, the women of Geisert 9 celebrated more than the transition of presidential power. They celebrated the realization of dreams and the promise of possibility.

I think a lot of us were surprised by the amount of snow we received last night. But by the time most people arrived on campus, the walks and parking lots were clear. This fluffy, bright white snow provided a nice contrast for our banners along Bradley Ave. It also settled gently into the lettering outside the library.

The workers building our new Athletic Performance Center (APC) and Men’s Basketball Practice Facility must have a motto similar to the one attributed to letter carriers: “Neither snow, nor rain, nor heat, nor gloom of night stays these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds.”

Despite icy wind, cold temperatures, snow, and fog, the APC construction site is bustling with activity today. Builders wrapped in thick layers can be seen working away.

This is going to be a beautiful facility and a grand addition to Main Street. Replacing Robertson Memorial Field House, the APC will provide a wonderful performance arena for the entire campus and a home court for our women’s basketball and volleyball teams. I know they will be so happy to once again have a permanent “home” on campus when this building opens in 2010.

The men’s basketball team will also be thrilled to have their own practice and meeting space.

The improved facilities will enhance the efforts of these already wonderful athletic teams.