Editorial: Penn v. Drexel: A new tradition

Penn's basketball team should schedule Drexel every season. After 69 years of not playing Drexel in a regularly scheduled basketball game, Penn went head to head against its next-door neighbor. After an exciting game at the Palestra last night, we wonder why the two schools don't meet more often on the court. Drexel has developed an outstanding basketball program -- winning the North Atlantic Conference (now America East) title four years in a row and appearing in the NCAA Tournament for the past three years. They have become a worthwhile opponent who could only strengthen our basketball schedule. Not only is this a good match up for Penn, but it's good for Philadelphia. With Big 5 games reduced to a half round-robin schedule, locals don't have much of a chance to see two Philly teams face off as they used to. Two years ago at the Big Dance, the teams played a largely-attended double-header -- Penn versus Alabama in the early game and Drexel versus Oklahoma State. Drexel fans came early to cheer on our basketball team, and Penn fans stayed late to support their team. We need to cultivate this kind of community between the two schools. Last night's game attracted over 5,100 fans -- well above the average attendance of a Penn non-conference game held in the middle of the week. And although we lost 58-52, Penn should make Drexel a permanent fixture on its basketball schedule. While a Penn--Drexel hoops rivalry may never reach the intensity level of the Penn--Princeton one, it could definitely develop into the Battle for 33rd Street.