Niagara Purple Eagles
| Niagara Purple Eagles | |
|---|---|
 | |
| University | Niagara University |
| Conference | Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference, Atlantic Hockey |
| NCAA | Division I |
| Athletic director | Simon B. Gray |
| Location | Lewiston, New York |
| Varsity teams | 18 |
| Basketball arena | Gallagher Center |
| Baseball stadium | John P. Bobo Field |
| Soccer stadium | Niagara Field |
| Other venues | Dwyer Arena |
| Mascot | Monte |
| Nickname | Purple Eagles |
| Colors | Purple and white[1] |
| Website | www |
The Niagara Purple Eagles are athletics teams that represent Niagara University in college sports. Part of the NCAA's Division I, the Purple Eagles field 18 varsity level teams. The Purple Eagles are members of the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference and Atlantic Hockey. Between 1946 and 1958, Niagara was a member of the Western New York Little Three Conference.
In 2012, the women's ice hockey program was replaced by women's track and field.
Teams
| Men's | Women's |
|---|---|
| Basketball | Basketball |
| Ice Hockey | Lacrosse |
| Soccer | Soccer |
| Baseball | Softball |
| Cross Country | Cross Country |
| Tennis | Tennis |
| Golf | Golf |
| Swimming & Diving | Swimming & Diving |
| Volleyball | |
| Track and field |
- Niagara also runs a non-varsity ice hockey program at the American Collegiate Hockey Association.
Men's sports
Baseball
Men's basketball
Men's ice hockey
Men's soccer
Women's sports
Women's basketball
Softball
Former sports
Football
Niagara first played football in 1897 and continued until suspending operations after the 1909 season. The Purple Eagles returned for the 1914 season and kept playing college football until World War II made the 1941 season Niagara's last until 1946. For the third time, the Purple Eagles suspended their team after the 1950 season, only to return in 1967. After 20 seasons of play that had seven winless seasons with six occurring in a span of seven years, the Purple Eagles dropped football for the fourth and final time after the 1987 season. Over the span of 67 seasons, the team went won 182 games, lost 205 games, and had 31 ties. They never played in a bowl game. The Eagles had 37 seasons in which they finished with more wins and ties than losses, though the Purple Eagles finished on an 18-game losing streak in over three seasons, their last win occurring in October 1983.
The most wins they had in a season was 1902, in which they went 9–3–1, while the most losses they had in a season was 1922, when they finished 1–8–1.[2]
Notable players
Women's ice hockey
Rivalries
Niagara's fiercest rivals include:
All-Americans
- Calvin Murphy, 1970 (men’s basketball)
- Tania Pinelli, 2002 (women's hockey)
- Juan Mendez, 2005 (men’s basketball)
- Allison Rutledge, 2007 (women's hockey)
- Paul Zanette, 2011 (men’s hockey)
NCAA postseason appearances
- Men’s Hockey: 2013, 2008, 2004, 2000
- Women's Volleyball: 2011, 2010, 2009
- Men’s Basketball: 2007, 2005, 1970
- Women’s Tennis: 2005, 2003
- Women's Soccer: 2006
- Women’s Hockey: 2002
- Softball: 1998
- Men's Soccer: 2012
Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Tournament championships
- Women's Volleyball: 2011, 2010, 2009
- Men’s Basketball: 2007, 2005
- Women’s Soccer: 2006
- Women’s Tennis: 2005, 2003
- Softball: 1998
- Men’s Swimming: 1994
- Men's Soccer: 2012
Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference regular-season titles
- Women’s Volleyball: 2011, 2010
- Women’s Tennis: 2009, 2003
- Men’s Basketball: 2005, 2001, 1999
College Hockey America Tournament championships
College Hockey America regular-season titles
- Men’s Hockey: 2007, 2006, 2000
Atlantic Hockey Association regular-season titles
- Men’s Hockey: 2013
References
- ^ "Niagara University Athletic Department Quick Facts". August 2, 2011. Retrieved April 15, 2016.
- ^ http://www.cfbdatawarehouse.com/data/incomplete_data/year_by_year_discontinued.php?teamid=2253
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