Binghamton Bearcats

The Binghamton University Bearcats are an NCAA Division 1 athletics program at Binghamton University. They are one of just four Division 1 programs in the SUNY system.

History

Binghamton University has competed in the NCAA since joining the SUNY system in 1950. During the 1946-1950 era, there were no particular affiliations or mascotts. 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 mascot: The red white and blue Colonials.

University President Lois B. Defleur decided that in 2001, Binghamton University would step into Division 1 athletics. The school hired Joel Thirer as the new athletic director to bring the Division III school into Division I, which they successfully completed faster than any other school in history. They became a member of the America East Confrence. The advent of D1 athletics had a profound impact on the university in terms of school spirit, student recruitment, financial contributions and community outreach, among other things.

More recently, the university has hosted a number of conference championships, including the 2005, 2006 and soon 2008 men's basketball championships. Other programs, such as the Men's Soccer team have made appearances on the nation's top 20 lists.

Recent Accomplishments

   * 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.
   * In Men's Crew, the Varsity Openweight Four place third place at the 2007 New York State Collegiate Championships. They finished close behind Dowling College, and Hobart College, and ahead of teams such as Vassar, Marist, and the Army crews.
   * 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]
   * Advancing to the NCAA Tournament in both Men's and Women's Soccer, Tennis, Golf, Track, Wrestling, and more.
   * Rory Quiller posted a second place finish in the 2007 Indoor Track pole vault Championships (18' 1/2").
   * David Holmes became the first America East Conference Athlete to go to the NCAA swimming championships.
   * The Men's Soccer team advanced to the NCAA finals and posted the third highest average GPA in the country.
   * Binghamton University was the 2006 Runner-Up for the commissioner's cup, which measures the overall success of a school's program.

Binghamton University Basketball

The Binghamton University Men's Basketball team has experienced many ups and downs throughout their Div. I history. Perhaps the program's biggest win was against ACC member, University of Miami in the winter of 2006. Incidentally the 2006-2007 season was the program's worst finish in the America East conference. Following a loss to Boston University in the first round of the 2007 America East Championships, head coach Al Walker (the only coach Binghamton has had in their Div. I history) was forced to step down. As of March 26th, Kevin Broadus, assistant coach for Georgetown University was announced to fill Walker's position.

Rivalries

The Binghamton Bearcats' primary rival is the SUNY Albany Great Danes. This is largely because they are both members of the America East Confrence, as well as the SUNY system. Their geographic proximity has lead to the name, The I-88 Rivalry. Other rivals typically depend on the sport, but include: Cornell University, Boston University and University of Vermont

Facilities

Events Center

The Binghamton University Events Center plays host to both men and women basketball games. With a capacity of 5,322, it hosts the largest home crowds in the America East Conference. Additionally, 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.

Bearcats Athletic Complex

Scheduled to open in the Fall of 2007, the Bearcat Athletic 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.

West Gym

The West Gym 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 wrestling matches. The lower level has the main erg room for the crew teams.

Varsity Field

Home to the varsity baseball team, Varsity field features a diamond with dugouts and bleachers.

East Gym Field

Home to the softball team.

Alumni Stadium

A 2,000 seat stadium, athletic field, outdoor track and field facilities. While it has previously hosted the lacrosse teams, it is primarily used for the track and field teams. The track was resurfaced in 2007.

The BU Zoo

The BU Zoo is a student association sponsored group and represents the student fan base at athletic events. They attend and travel primarily for Men's Basketball and have contributed largely to claiming the America East Conference's highest home attendance for many years running.