NYIT Bears

NYIT Bears
University New York Institute of Technology
Conference East Coast Conference
NCAA Divisions I & II
Athletic director Duane Bailey
Location Old Westbury, New York
Varsity teams 13[1]
Football stadium President's Stadium
Basketball arena Recreation Hall
Nickname Bears
Colors Blue and Gold[2]
         
Website www.nyitbears.com

The NYIT Bears refer to the mascot and sports teams of the New York Institute of Technology (NYIT), located in Old Westbury New York, United States. All of NYIT's teams compete in NCAA Division II except baseball, which competes in Division I. The NYIT Bears are part of the East Coast Conference (ECC), and the baseball team was part of the Great West Conference until it disbanded. The NYIT Bears are best known for their men's lacrosse team, which has won four NCAA Division II national championships. NYIT sent several runners to the Olympic Games in 1980, 1988, 1992, and in 2000.[3]

Current sports programs

President's Stadium, home of the Men's and Women's Soccer teams and the Men's Lacrosse team.

Facilities

President's Stadium: A 1,000-seat stadium that is the home of the lacrosse and men's and women's soccer teams. In 2006, the NYIT replaced the natural grass of the field with FieldTurf.

President's Field: The home of the NYIT baseball program. In the 2012-2013 academic year, President's Field is scheduled for a face lift with raised dugouts, a new press box behind home plate and will FieldTurf both the infield and outfield.

Recreation Hall: A 500-seat arena, Recreation Hall is home to men's and women's basketball, and volleyball.

NYIT Softball Complex: The home of the NYIT softball team.

NYIT Tennis Complex: Six courts, four upper and two lower, that the Bears men's and women's tennis teams call home.

Achievements

Baseball

Led by Bob Hirschfield until 2012, the NYIT baseball team is the only sport that competes at the NCAA Division I level, as an independent. With over 650 wins under his belt Coach Hirschfield helped over 60 players reach the next level and sign professional contracts. The most recent signings were Joe Esposito, Mike Laluna, Kraig Binick, Mike Roth, Lou Bernardi, Jon Burke, Andrew Gurassi, Steve Faulkner, George Carroll & Danny Lackner. Some of the more notable Professional signings in recent and past years were Al Watson, Al Labozetta, Bill DaCosta, Alan Ashkinazy, Mike Gaffney, Chris Rojas, Brian Goelz, and Jimmy Goelz.

Bob Malvagna was named head coach in June 2012. With more than 20 years of experience, he is assisted by Stephen Malvagna, Vinny Rubino, and Anthony Bonomo Jr. The Bears opened their newly renovated ball park in 2014 and also began playing as an independent, following the demise of the Great West Conference.

Lacrosse

During lacrosse coach Jack Kaley's tenure (1993 - 2009), NYIT's lacrosse team rose to become a national powerhouse. Under Kaley, the Bears had a record of 152-28. They won the East Coast Conference championship four consecutive years (2002-2005). They have reached the NCAA Division II national championship game six times, and have won the national championship four times, including an undefeated season in 2003. Upon Kaley's retirement, Bill Dunn was appointed head coach.

Men's basketball

In 1980, the men's basketball team made their first and only appearance in the NCAA Division II national championship game, losing 80-74 to Virginia Union. Several Bears have gone on to play professionally overseas including Bryant Lassiter, Manix Auriantal, and Kirk Stewart. On May 19, 2015, Rob Isme was named Interim Head Coach for the 2015-2016 season.

Volleyball

The volleyball team reached the NCAA tournament six consecutive years, 2001-2006. After a short hiatus, the Bears returned to the National tournament in the Fall of 2011 and advanced to the Regional semifinal in the Fall of 2012. Volleyball has two Honorable Mention All-Americans: Shelby Cable (2011, 2012) and Burcu Hakyemez (2004).

Women's basketball

In 2005-2006, the women's basketball team made its first appearance in the East Coast Conference tournament. The Bears advanced to the championship game. NYIT made another run at the ECC title in 2006-07. In 2009-2010, Anthony Crocitto was named head coach of the women's basketball program and since then the Bears have doubled their wins total each season. In 2011-2012, NYIT produced the program's best record in school history (16-13). The Bears made it back to the ECC Tournament but lost in the first round to neighboring LIU Post. In the 2014-15 season, the Bears lost in the ECC Championship to Queens College (N.Y.).

Men's soccer

Since coach Carlos Del Cid took over in 2001, NYIT's soccer team has become one of the best in the nation. In 2003, the Bears advanced to the NCAA playoffs after an absence of 18 years (1985). They have established a school record of 13 wins in a row and have been ranked as high as no. 7 in the nation. In 2005, the men's soccer team advanced to the NCAA Division II Elite Eight. They lost on penalty kicks to Franklin Pierce College. The Bears won their first ECC Championship in 2011 off a goal from Senior Danilo Hernandez. NYIT men's soccer has four All-Americans: Vinny Caccavale (2012), Kyle Cupid (2007), Eduardo Anacelto (2005), and Algernon Lawrence (1984).

Softball

The softball team made its first appearance in the NCAA tournament in 2009.

Notable alumni

References

  1. ↑ http://www.nyit.edu/box/features/go_team_nyit_adds_womens_lacrosse
  2. ↑ NYIT Brand Identity Guidelines (PDF). 2014-01-08. Retrieved 2016-05-25.
  3. ↑ http://www.nyitbears.com/sports/xc/2015-16/releases/20160210nuqzja
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