Florida Atlantic University Athletics
FAU's Reach Becoming International
5/10/2013 12:00:00 AM | General
May 10, 2013
Greeting from Puerto Rico! While I was just here a little while ago, a month to be exact, I rushed back after a long, tortuous two weeks of finals, to spend time with my sister and a friend who is heading to Cambridge.
As much as I love FAU and South Florida, nothing makes me happier than having a strong cup of coffee and listening to PR's native Coquis, a frog only found on the island, while writing and sitting on my sister's apartment balcony. It's nice not having to worry about much other than gaining weight from eating too many plantains.
While I've had a lot of good times in Puerto Rico and have met many people, my latest encounter was the most shocking. While walking around the tourist areas of Puerto Rico, you see many NCAA football fans showing school pride. Most represent SEC teams. I rarely see fans beyond the Boca Raton area with FAU merchandise or knowledge of the program, which I believe is due to the University's young age.
As my friend and I were drinking coffee in Viejo San Juan, San Juan's historic area that dates back to the 15th century, a set of fellow Americans decided to sit down and talk with us. The topic of business popped up and as soon as I mentioned FAU, one man said, "You go to Florida Atlantic?" This was shocking. People from the states would normally ask "where is that?" this man didn't question. I usually give a detail or two about FAU, but this time, he questioned me about my school. He asked if I knew who Tim Kaine was. I stood there in silence. I am in Puerto Rico, with strangers who know what FAU is and who know people in the Owl Family. Little did I know, this man, who's also a basketball coach was a good friend of Coach Kaine.
Of course, our conversation led to FAU's basketball program, how much it's grown, how energetic Coach Jarvis is and how FAU is a sleeping giant.
I've had many eye opening experiences about FAU, but this by far was one of the greatest. If people don't think FAU is growing, then I don't know how else to prove it. The fact that a man in Puerto Rico was so excited to talk about FAU was mind-boggling. I'm proud that I can have a conversation about the Owls outside the mainland of the United States.
Reflecting on this conversation, while enjoying my coffee and listening to the Coquis is definitely a moment I will never forget. It's truly awesome being part of the Owl Family. Next stop, Europe.
