Let's face it: when it comes to name recognition among colleges across the country, athletics play a major role. Even Coach Gary Patterson acknowledged last season, "Athletics is the porch of the house," Patterson said. "It's not as important as the bedroom or kitchen. But it can get people in the door. It's about curb appeal."

Over the past year, Texas Christian University has received more national attention than ever before due to the accomplishments of the 2009 football team. However, it did not really start with the first kick-off in September; the ripple of the wave came back in May of last year when the TCU baseball team reached its first ever Super Regional Final. The Frogs pushed the mighty University of Texas Longhorns to a decisive third game in a best of three series and were four runs shy of making their first ever trip to Omaha for the College World Series. Now, I know that the attention college baseball receives is a small cry from the exposure football offers, but last May through June, the "ping"from the aluminum Horned Frog bats was heard much further than Fort Worth.

It seems like the TCU national momentum has somewhat seized since coming off the loss to Boise State in the Fiesta Bowl, and with the basketball team struggling, Horned Frog fever has begun to deteriorate even among some of the most loyal fans. However, with baseball season right around the corner, the #11 TCU Horned Frogs have a chance to completely revitalize the purple wave across the nation. And when I say completely, I mean this team has a serious shot at going all the way and winning the College World Series in Omaha. With a bulk of the team returning, Coach Schlossnagle and the Frogs are poised to have another very successful season. Plus with the addition of freshman pitching ace Matt Purke (who turned down first-round money from the Texas Rangers to play for the Frogs), the expectations for this TCU baseball team are the highest they have ever been to start a season. And the fact that these players have already been so close to reaching Omaha, gives this team a huge advantage throughout the season and into the playoffs.

If the Frogs can live up to these great expectations, it would be another substantial upsurge of national exposure for the University and the purple frenzy would be in high gear. Even if it is just reaching the College World Series in June, that Horned Frog momentum could turn into a massive tidal wave as another highly anticipated football season begins. The more times "TCU Horned Frogs" is said over the airwaves, the more beneficial our recruiting will be for all sports at TCU. And the longer this purple wave of momentum continues, the greater our curb appeal will be. As Gary Patterson said: it is about getting people in the door.

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TCU baseball gets under way this Friday at 6:30 PM in Fort Worth against Sam Houston State. For a complete schedule, please visit our TCU Sports Calendar at hornedfrogsports.com