I hope that this poster is not trying to suggest that Seattle U. should give up athletic scholarships and forgo a move to Division I athletics. It’s simply not realistic to compare Seattle University with Birmingham-Southern. SU is an urban school of more than 7,200 students in a major metropolitan area. In sharp contrast Birmingham-Southern is a school of just 1,300 students located on nearly 200 wooded acres outside of Birmingham Alabama (a city of just 250,000 residents).
In joining the West Coast Conference and returning to Division I athletics Seattle U. will enjoy a multitude of positive effects. The University’s stature, visibility, and marketability would increase almost overnight. Students, faculty, and alumni would all be invigorated by the opportunity to watch our school compete at the highest level on a truly national stage. Athletics inspire us, they teach us, and a move to Division I athletics fits perfectly with the Mission, Vision, and Values of Seattle University.