Binghamton Bearcats
Encyclopedia
The Binghamton Bearcats are an NCAA Division I athletics program at Binghamton University
. They are one of four Division I programs in the SUNY
system and a member of the America East Conference
.
system in 1950. During the 1946–1950 era, there were no particular affiliations or mascots. When, in fact, they joined SUNY
and adopted the new name Harpur College, the school also adopted their first mascot: a donkey named Harpo. In transitioning to SUNY Binghamton, they also developed their athletics program further, adopting the new school nickname and mascot: The red, white, and blue Colonials. With the impending move to Division I, the school adopted the new nickname, the Bearcats, beginning with the 1999–2000 school year. The mascot, Baxter the Bearcat, was unveiled in the fall of 1999.
In the fall of 2001, Binghamton athletics formally entered the NCAA Division I and also became a member of the America East Conference
in all sports other than wrestling and golf, which is not sponsored by the America East Conference. The wrestling program actually preceded the jump to Division I by becoming a provisional member of the now-defunct East Coast Wrestling Association beginning with the 1999–2000 season. They made the transition from a Division III school to Division II for three years and then entered Division I. Binghamton has 21 intercollegiate sports.
Former Director of Health, Physical Education, and Athletics, Dr. Joel Thirer oversaw the transition from NCAA Division III to NCAA Division II to NCAA Division I. Hired in 1989, Dr. Thirer resigned on September 30, 2009, amid controversy surrounding the Men's Basketball program.
More recently, the university has hosted a number of conference championships, including the 2005, 2006 and 2008 men's basketball championships, as well as, other championships from other sports.
As of a Sept. 29, 2009 statement, Jim Norris had been named Interim Athletic Director. The Director of Athletics reports directly to the current interim President McGraff.
In October 2009, Broadus was suspended with pay and replaced by Mark Macon
on an interim basis.
Binghamton has 20 other sports that successful Division I program although the media focuses primarily on men's basketball. They include women's basketball, golf, baseball, softball, men's lacrosse, women's lacrosse, men's soccer, women's soccer, men's cross country, women's cross country, men's swimming & diving, women's swimming & diving, men's tennis, women's tennis, women's volleyball, wrestling, men's indoor track, women's indoor track, men's outdoor track and women's outdoor track. The program posted an overall 3.1 APR for all 21 sports and has been recognized for its scholar athletes. The men's tennis program posted an overall 3.69 GPA for the 2010 spring semester.
plays host to both men and women basketball games. It has a capacity of nearly ten thousand for non-sporting events and approximately 5,222 for basketball games. With recent capacity issues, the Athletic Department will be looking at various existent options for expanding capacity in the 2009–2010 season. The facilities has an indoor track where the track and field teams practice and compete, indoor tennis courts for both men and women tennis teams, as well as the primary weight and fitness equipment, sports medicine and uniform issuance facilities. The facility also includes a 150 person private lounge donated by a Binghamton University
fraternity, Tau Alpha Upsilon (TAU). It is known as the TAU Bearcat Clubroom.
matches.
team, Varsity Field
features a diamond with dugouts and bleachers. It was recently announced that Varsity field will undergo major renovations set for completion by the 2012 season. The project includes artificial turf, bull-pens and a modest-sized stadium/pressbox.
Binghamton University
Binghamton University, also formally called State University of New York at Binghamton, , is a public research university in the State of New York. The University is one of the four university centers in the State University of New York system...
. They are one of four Division I programs in the SUNY
State University of New York
The State University of New York, abbreviated SUNY , is a system of public institutions of higher education in New York, United States. It is the largest comprehensive system of universities, colleges, and community colleges in the United States, with a total enrollment of 465,000 students, plus...
system and a member of the America East Conference
America East Conference
The America East Conference is a NCAA Division I college athletic conference whose members are located mainly in the northeastern United States. The conference was known as the ECAC North from 1979 to 1988 and the North Atlantic Conference from the fall semester of 1988 to the end of the spring...
.
History
Binghamton has competed in the NCAA since joining the SUNYState University of New York
The State University of New York, abbreviated SUNY , is a system of public institutions of higher education in New York, United States. It is the largest comprehensive system of universities, colleges, and community colleges in the United States, with a total enrollment of 465,000 students, plus...
system in 1950. During the 1946–1950 era, there were no particular affiliations or mascots. When, in fact, they joined SUNY
State University of New York
The State University of New York, abbreviated SUNY , is a system of public institutions of higher education in New York, United States. It is the largest comprehensive system of universities, colleges, and community colleges in the United States, with a total enrollment of 465,000 students, plus...
and adopted the new name Harpur College, the school also adopted their first mascot: a donkey named Harpo. In transitioning to SUNY Binghamton, they also developed their athletics program further, adopting the new school nickname and mascot: The red, white, and blue Colonials. With the impending move to Division I, the school adopted the new nickname, the Bearcats, beginning with the 1999–2000 school year. The mascot, Baxter the Bearcat, was unveiled in the fall of 1999.
In the fall of 2001, Binghamton athletics formally entered the NCAA Division I and also became a member of the America East Conference
America East Conference
The America East Conference is a NCAA Division I college athletic conference whose members are located mainly in the northeastern United States. The conference was known as the ECAC North from 1979 to 1988 and the North Atlantic Conference from the fall semester of 1988 to the end of the spring...
in all sports other than wrestling and golf, which is not sponsored by the America East Conference. The wrestling program actually preceded the jump to Division I by becoming a provisional member of the now-defunct East Coast Wrestling Association beginning with the 1999–2000 season. They made the transition from a Division III school to Division II for three years and then entered Division I. Binghamton has 21 intercollegiate sports.
Former Director of Health, Physical Education, and Athletics, Dr. Joel Thirer oversaw the transition from NCAA Division III to NCAA Division II to NCAA Division I. Hired in 1989, Dr. Thirer resigned on September 30, 2009, amid controversy surrounding the Men's Basketball program.
More recently, the university has hosted a number of conference championships, including the 2005, 2006 and 2008 men's basketball championships, as well as, other championships from other sports.
As of a Sept. 29, 2009 statement, Jim Norris had been named Interim Athletic Director. The Director of Athletics reports directly to the current interim President McGraff.
Recent accomplishments
- The Men's Tennis Team has won seven of the last nine America East titles (2003–2005, 2008-2011)
- The 2008-09 Men's Basketball team won the America East regular season title. The team has had its best season in history and earned its first post-season berth in history, as well as, after defeating UMBC in the America East Tournament Final 61-51, their first ever NCAA Division I Tournament appearance.
- The 2008 Men's Soccer team drew the nation's (Div. 1) 20th largest average attendance to regular season play.
- Rory Quiller became the first Binghamton athlete to win a Division 1 National Championship in 2008. His pole vault of 18-0½ was good enough to take first place at NCAA Indoor Track & Field Championships. He became the first America East athlete to win a National Championship and received his third All- American honors. He is now pursuing 2008 Summer Olympics.
- The Men's Soccer team made it to the 6th consecutive America East championship for the 2008 season.
- Ryan Graham became the first diver from Binghamton to qualify for NCAA Division 1 Zone Championships in 2008.
- Rory Quiller won the 2007 NCAA East Outdoor Track pole vault Championships with a new conference and Binghamton University record (18' 1"). This victory was followed by placing 4th at the NCAA Championships. He was the first Binghamton athlete to earn All-American honors twice.
- Men's Lacrosse knocked off 6th ranked SUNY Albany at home on April 28, 2007. This was the schools largest upset and came on Senior Day.[24]
- Rory Quiller posted a second place finish in the 2007 Indoor Track pole vault Championships (18' 1/2").
- The Men's Soccer team played their first game in the new Bearcat Sports Complex against Cornell. They came to a 3-0 victory in front of a record crowd of over 1,800 people. The success lead to receiving votes in the Adidas national ranking and moving into the 7 spot for all of the Northeast.
- The Men's Soccer team opened the 2007 season with the best record (5-0-0) since 1987. The women's team also played an inaugural game in the new Bearcats Sports Complex (they lost 2-1 in overtime to Syracuse UniversitySyracuse UniversitySyracuse University is a private research university located in Syracuse, New York, United States. Its roots can be traced back to Genesee Wesleyan Seminary, founded by the Methodist Episcopal Church in 1832, which also later founded Genesee College...
). - The baseball team won back to back regular season championships for the 2007 and 2008 seasons. Since joining the America East Conference they have the best winning percentage of any team and most players who have signed a professional contract.
Binghamton basketball
- The Binghamton men's basketball team has experienced negative publicity during their 2008-2009 year. *Following a loss to Boston UniversityBoston UniversityBoston University is a private research university located in Boston, Massachusetts. With more than 4,000 faculty members and more than 31,000 students, Boston University is one of the largest private universities in the United States and one of Boston's largest employers...
(BU) in the first round of the 2007 America East Championship, head coach Al Walker (the only coach Binghamton had had in its Div. I history) resigned as head coach. As of March 26, Kevin BroadusKevin Broadus-External links:...
, assistant coach for Georgetown UniversityGeorgetown UniversityGeorgetown University is a private, Jesuit, research university whose main campus is in the Georgetown neighborhood of Washington, D.C. Founded in 1789, it is the oldest Catholic university in the United States...
was announced to fill Walker's position. - In his second season as head coach, Kevin Broadus took the Bearcats to their first regular season conference title in school history.
- Binghamton defeated UMBC 61-51 in the America East Tournament Championship Game and made their first appearance in the NCAA Tournament, earning the 15 seed and losing to second-seeded Duke in the first round.
In October 2009, Broadus was suspended with pay and replaced by Mark Macon
Mark Macon
-External links:* @ basketballreference.com*...
on an interim basis.
Binghamton has 20 other sports that successful Division I program although the media focuses primarily on men's basketball. They include women's basketball, golf, baseball, softball, men's lacrosse, women's lacrosse, men's soccer, women's soccer, men's cross country, women's cross country, men's swimming & diving, women's swimming & diving, men's tennis, women's tennis, women's volleyball, wrestling, men's indoor track, women's indoor track, men's outdoor track and women's outdoor track. The program posted an overall 3.1 APR for all 21 sports and has been recognized for its scholar athletes. The men's tennis program posted an overall 3.69 GPA for the 2010 spring semester.
Rivalries
The Binghamton Bearcats' primary rival is the Police. This is because the basketball team commits crime, and the police fights it.Events Center
The Events CenterBinghamton University Events Center
Binghamton University Events Center is the premier Division I Athletics and multipurpose facility at Binghamton University. The arena opened in 2004 and is adjacent to the Bearcat Sports Complex. It is home to the Binghamton Bearcats Division I Intercollegiate Athletic Program and can seat 5,322...
plays host to both men and women basketball games. It has a capacity of nearly ten thousand for non-sporting events and approximately 5,222 for basketball games. With recent capacity issues, the Athletic Department will be looking at various existent options for expanding capacity in the 2009–2010 season. The facilities has an indoor track where the track and field teams practice and compete, indoor tennis courts for both men and women tennis teams, as well as the primary weight and fitness equipment, sports medicine and uniform issuance facilities. The facility also includes a 150 person private lounge donated by a Binghamton University
Binghamton University
Binghamton University, also formally called State University of New York at Binghamton, , is a public research university in the State of New York. The University is one of the four university centers in the State University of New York system...
fraternity, Tau Alpha Upsilon (TAU). It is known as the TAU Bearcat Clubroom.
Bearcats Sports Complex
Opened in the Fall of 2007, the Bearcat Sports Complex features two artificial turf fields for soccer and lacrosse. One field is intended primarily for competition and the other for practice. Additional features include night lighting, over 2,500 seats for the competition field and 1,000 for the practice field, a concession stand and bathrooms. In 2009, the Tau Alpha Upsilon [TAU] fraternity sponsored the naming of both the press box and the scoreboard. A plaque was dedicated in their honor at the entrance of the new sports complex. A recent announcement unveiled plans to moved the Softball competition field to the complex. A new field along with a modestly sized stadium and pressbox will be added immediately behind the current concession stand.West Gym
The West Gym is an Athletic facility that hosts the weight, practice and competition facilities for the wrestling team. Also, the varsity pool is home to both men and women swim and diving teams. The gymnasium is used for volleyball, basketball practice, and also wrestlingBinghamton Bearcats wrestling
The Binghamton Bearcats wrestling team represents Binghamton University of Vestal, New York. The squad is coached by Pat Popolizio a former wrestler for the Oklahoma State Cowboys. Binghamton has fielded a college wrestling team since 1969. The team competed on the Division III level until 1998....
matches.
Varsity Field
Home to the varsity baseballCollege baseball
College baseball is baseball that is played on the intercollegiate level at institutions of higher education. Compared to football and basketball, college competition in the United States plays a less significant contribution to cultivating professional players, as the minor leagues primarily...
team, Varsity Field
Varsity Field (Binghamton baseball)
Varsity Field is a baseball field located on the campus of Binghamton University in Vestal, New York, USA. The field is home to the Binghamton Bearcats baseball team of the Division I America East Conference. The field holds a capacity of 1,000 fans....
features a diamond with dugouts and bleachers. It was recently announced that Varsity field will undergo major renovations set for completion by the 2012 season. The project includes artificial turf, bull-pens and a modest-sized stadium/pressbox.