Non-Revenue Sports

[Chico]

15 years ago Bradley was surrounded by a crime ridden neighborhood complete with gang, murder, prostitution ect.. Bradley Hall was antiquated and had almost none of the latest technology. Parking on campus was nearly impossible for students or visitors. The science center was outdated and unable to attract the top science students. The soccer team played in horrible conditions and almost never won a game. The tennis team had to go off campus to play because Bradley didn??™t have courts. The baseball team played in a decent but not phenomenal facility. Somehow without Bradley becoming a mega university all of these things have changed for the better. I dont think its unrealistic or asking to much for us to be competitive in sports we already field and to perhaps add a womans soccer team. It takes vision and determination to get the job done but it can be done. Its not like asking for anything crazy like a top 3 finish for the basketball team.

As someone who lived just west of Western Ave 15 years ago I have to say I would walk places then I wouldn't walk now. I don't know where you come up with Bradley being a worse neighborhood 15 years ago.

[Lakeview Brave]

The entire area east of campus is now student housing, basketball courts and a football/playing field, 15 years ago you couldnt walk there.

[southpaw nothin]

As someone who lived just west of Western Ave 15 years ago I have to say I would walk places then I wouldn't walk now. I don't know where you come up with Bradley being a worse neighborhood 15 years ago.

Specifically, I think he's referring to the area along Bradley Avenue--with the new lighting in place now, it's almost like daytime at night--you can see down the entire avenue, and a couple blocks down, one past Fredonia.

Also, the area where the St. James apartment complex now stands behind Campustown, had one of the highest crime rates in the city, but now students can live and have recreational activities there with basically zero outside influence.

[Chico]

Just don't wander a block or 2 away.

[SFP]

Just don't wander a block or 2 away.

Is it the neighborhood or thugs wandering around? I have not been back to P-town in quite some time and am wondering if the neighborhood around BU has deteriorated?

[southpaw nothin]

I have no clue what he is referring to SFP.

I attended BU 1997-2001, and began working at BU in 2004.

I do know that if you went a block or two off campus alone back when I was a student you took a big risk with your personal safety. However, now, while there are undesirable neighborhoods still on the opposite side of Main and a few block beyond the St. James apartments, the area immediately surrounding BU is infinitely safer. It's not perfect, of course. You still have a lot of crime in Peoria that can be concentrated in areas not far from BU and spills over.

But the notion the area surrounding BU has deteriorated is on the contrary.

In my student days, it seemed there was about a mugging a weekend along Bradley Ave. While it still occurs, the frequency has been reduced to probably about once every couple months. Still probably high for a small private school, but a considerable improvement.

[thefish7]

I was at BU from 98-02... Similar experience with southpaw. Nasty stuff north of main, east of campus, or beyond Western ave... I would say Western is the same today, but east of campus is many times better... as is the area north of main, particularly if you stay west of university. Now if you head east on main it gets pretty crazy pretty quick, but I think the on-going medical center developments are helping to alleviate that some.

[SFP]

Considering what is safe and not is very subjective to where you were brought up. If you look at where U PENN or John Hopkins are located, BU is a walk in the park. I'm sure someone from the south part of Chicago would laugh at the notion that around BU is not safe and someone from a small town would completely disagree. I never thought P-town was unsafe while I was there. Were there sketchy areas? Yes, but nothing you could really avoid.

I had more issues with Bradley cops then I did with any thugs, while there.

[Chico]

Considering what is safe and not is very subjective to where you were brought up. If you look at where U PENN or John Hopkins are located, BU is a walk in the park. I'm sure someone from the south part of Chicago would laugh at the notion that around BU is not safe and someone from a small town would completely disagree. I never thought P-town was unsafe while I was there. Were there sketchy areas? Yes, but nothing you could really avoid.

I had more issues with Bradley cops then I did with any thugs, while there.

The head of Bradley security, Mr. Baer, is a class act and any dealings I've had with his officers over the years have been positive.

[SFP]

The head of Bradley security, Mr. Baer, is a class act and any dealings I've had with his officers over the years have been positive.

I was implying a little sarcasm in my statement but in reality they were a bit too enthusiastic at times while I was there. Their stress level regarding 420 was a little excessive IMHO. Sometime bordering on the Keystone cops or Barney Fife. (another joke)

[Chico]

I was implying a little sarcasm in my statement but in reality they were a bit too enthusiastic at times while I was there. Their stress level regarding 420 was a little excessive IMHO. Sometime bordering on the Keystone cops or Barney Fife. (another joke)

Keystone Cops or Barney Fife, too bad we have to have them, but glad you were always the little angel and did no wrong because they always were. JK.

[SFP]

Chico, I'm no angel now! and I was worse then but sometimes the enforcers become a bit more like wardens and react to the letter of the law instead of the spirit. Do not get me wrong, I believe there is a place for police officers just as long as they are not upholding a police state. They can go after the muggers, thieves, rapist, molesters, killers and drunk drivers all they want and I applaud that but I have seen law enforcement harass perfectly nice law abiding citizens because they felt like they could. Power corrupts in every aspect of society and law enforcement is no different.

[MacabreMob]

Chico, I'm no angel now! and I was worse then but sometimes the enforcers become a bit more like wardens and react to the letter of the law instead of the spirit. Do not get me wrong, I believe there is a place for police officers just as long as they are not upholding a police state. They can go after the muggers, thieves, rapist, molesters, killers and drunk drivers all they want and I applaud that but I have seen law enforcement harass perfectly nice law abiding citizens because they felt like they could. Power corrupts in every aspect of society and law enforcement is no different.

Great post SFP.

[Chico]

Chico, I'm no angel now! and I was worse then but sometimes the enforcers become a bit more like wardens and react to the letter of the law instead of the spirit. Do not get me wrong, I believe there is a place for police officers just as long as they are not upholding a police state. They can go after the muggers, thieves, rapist, molesters, killers and drunk drivers all they want and I applaud that but I have seen law enforcement harass perfectly nice law abiding citizens because they felt like they could. Power corrupts in every aspect of society and law enforcement is no different.

I thought you were talking about the BU officers. How many rapist, molesters and killers do they have to watch for on campus? Plenty of drunk drivers, yes. Not defending all policemen, but I'd hate to be without them.

[SFP]

I thought you were talking about the BU officers. How many rapist, molesters and killers do they have to watch for on campus? Plenty of drunk drivers, yes. Not defending all policemen, but I'd hate to be without them.

OK let's agree! I also am glad that tax payers money is spent there. But, of course I have a but, I experienced BU security, albeit 198?, getting a little to excited about a little pot smoke from an area and decided to harass, frisk and try to pull some power play on anyone in the area. Let's just say when any security force decides to pull their weight when no one is harming anyone I just believe it is a waste of time on everyone especially when there are true offensive individuals that should be watched. I guess I'm just a social Libertarian at heart and is another reason I live in SF.