Over the last months Catholic University has undergone some significant changes. With the leadership of Athletic Director Michael Allen, Catholic has improved facilities, begun plans for additional renovations, and through the work of Allen and his colleagues, recently conceived and formed an entirely new athletic conference.

Director of Athletics Michael Allen enters his third year at Catholic University. He holds a Ph.D. in the sociology of sport and an M.A. in sports management form the University of Connecticut, focusing his doctoral research on the ways athletic team communities bolster the intellectual development of intercollegiate athletes.

In his tenure at Catholic, Allen has helped facilitate a number of athletic facility improvements, including new FieldTurf in Cardinal Stadium and a resurfaced track, the complete makeover at Talbot Field, a new softball facility, the resodding of the soccer field, and beginning soon, a campaign to renovate the interior of the DuFour Center. Allen is quick to point out that many of these improvements would not have been possible if not for the outstanding work of former athletic director and development officer, Bob Talbot, who spearheaded the "Competitive Edge" fundraising campaign to support Catholic athletics.

One of Allen's most significant accomplishments at Catholic University is working to found the Landmark Conference. Allen and several other athletic directors met in the winter of 2005 to discuss the formation of a new conference consisting of schools with like-minded educational philosophies and strong athletic traditions in Division III. Through the support of the presidents of each respective institution, the Landmark Conference took shape and the eight-member league began play fall of 2007. The schools in the Landmark Conference are: Catholic University, Drew University, Goucher College, Juniata College, Moravian College, Scranton University, Susquehanna University, and The United States Merchant Marine Academy.

The new conference has enabled Catholic to compete with other Division III schools that are primarily of the same size and scope , including schools such as Goucher, in Baltimore, and the University of Scranton, both of which Catholic has competed regularly against in the past. Of the 21 varsity sports, all are played against teams form the Landmark Conference except for football, which competes in the Old Dominion Athletic Conference.

"The geography of the new conference will allow us to develop and maintain additional alumni support and expand recruiting opportunities throughout the midatlantic region," said Allen. "The eight schools in the conference also share similar philosophies by creating and promoting a healthy balance between the athletic and academic pursuits of our student-athletes and building opportunities for academic collaboration between the schools."

Catholic University is a growing presence among Catholic families in and around the D.C. area. When asked what might attract students from the WCAC, IAC and DCIAA to Catholic's programs, Allen said, " It is the balance we try to achieve. Our student-athletes have the opportunity to compete in highly competitive athletic programs, excel and commit to challenging academic pursuits, and still have time to be regular college students. As an example, over 70 percent of our senior athletics have graduated with 3.0 or higher grade point averages in each of the past two years."

Students from the WCAC will be able to get a first-hand look at Catholic University this Sunday. The championship soccer games for the WCAC boys and girls will be held at Catholic beginning at 10:30 a.m.